English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

Etymology — The Origins of English Words

Where do words come from? Trace the origin and history of any English word, from its Latin, Greek or Old English roots through to its modern meaning. Every etymology is sourced.

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From "cap" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-ed."

From un- + sullied.

From re- ("again") plus wire.

A blend of the names Mary and Ann.

A Latinized form of Marian, ultimately from Mary; also historically linked to the Roman name Marius.

Coined in the late 19th century as a poetic name for the song thrush; also used independently as a female given name.

Scottish Gaelic

From Scottish Gaelic Mairead with the diminutive ending -sie.

From Lou + the diminutive suffix -ella.

Derived from Lucia with the suffix -inda, first used by Cervantes in Don Quixote (1605).

Coined by novelist R. D. Blackmore in 1869 for Lorna Doone, likely inspired by the Scottish place name Lorn.

One of many alternative spellings of a name transliterated from Arabic; see Leila for more information. Since the late 20th century, in English, this given name in this spelling is sometimes bestowed solely because it is considered euphonious, a theme true of many given names; Wikipedia at given name § Popularity discusses name choice motivations.

A variant of Leila and Layla, from Arabic لَيْلَى (laylā), related to layla ("night").

From Arabic لَيْلَى (laylā). Taken into English usage through nineteenth-century literature.

19th-century invention, possibly from the Californian town La Verne, named in the belief that it means "the green" in French. Laverne is a genuine French surname, from Gaulish la verne "the alder (tree place)" but - as in the case of Leroy - there is no apparent reason to turn it into an American given name.

Modern invention that can be explained as a feminine form of Kyle with -a.

Name of a Greek Orthodox saint, from Byzantine Greek κυρά (kurá, “lady”), or from Cyra, feminine form of Cyrus. The English name may also be a variant of Keira.

A modern feminine form of Kieran, from Irish ciar (“black, dark, little dark one”).

From Swedish Karin or Danish Karin, a medieval form of Katarina, ultimately from Ancient Greek Αἰκατερῑ́νη (Aikaterī́nē). See also Karen.

Reduced Anglicized from Irish Ó Caollaidhe (“descendant of Caollaidhe”), a personal name based on the adjective caol (“slender, graceful”).

Coined in the late 20th century, likely blending Kay and Lee, or drawing on the surnames Cayley or Keeley.

From French Janine and Jeannine under influence from Jane, from Jeanne + -ine, q.v. Doublet of Ivanka, Jan, Janelle, Janet, Janey, Jeanette, Jeanie, Jeannette, Jeannine, Jen, Jenna, Jenny, Jessie, Jo, Jody, Juanita, Shanae, Sinead, and Vanna.

Scottish Gaelic

Believed to originate from a printing misprint of "Innogen" in early editions of Shakespeare's play, from Scottish Gaelic inghean ("girl, maiden").

From the Ancient Greek name Hermione, ultimately related to the god Hermes.

From "jihad" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-i," following the Arabic pattern.