How Did Orange Get Its Name?

The English word “orange” is derived from the Old French word “orenge”, which in turn comes from the Arabic word “nāranj”. The Arabic word is thought to have originated from the Sanskrit word “nāraṅga”, which refers to the citrus fruit.

Etymology of “Orange”

• Sanskrit: nāraṅga
• Arabic: nāranj
• Old French: orenge
• English: orange

The Sanskrit Connection

The Sanskrit word “nāraṅga” is believed to be derived from the Dravidian languages of South India. In Tamil, for example, the word “narandam” refers to the sour orange tree. The Dravidian languages are thought to have originated in present-day India, and the word “nāraṅga” likely spread to Sanskrit through contact between the two language families.

The Spread of the Orange

From India, the orange spread to the Middle East and eventually Europe. The Moors, who ruled Spain from the 8th to the 15th centuries, are credited with introducing the orange to Europe. The fruit quickly became popular throughout the continent, and was eventually brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers.

Orange: The Fruit and the Color

The word “orange” is not only used to refer to the fruit, but also to the color of the fruit. The color orange is a secondary color, created by mixing red and yellow. The first recorded use of the word “orange” to describe the color was in the 16th century.

Conclusion

The word “orange” has a long and fascinating history, with roots in multiple languages and cultures. From its origins in Sanskrit to its eventual adoption in English, the word has tracked the spread of the orange fruit itself. Today, the word “orange” is used to refer to both the fruit and the color, and is an integral part of our vocabulary.