Etymology Map
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Beluga

2 stages from Russian to English.

Today it means a large sturgeon prized for its caviar; a small white Arctic whale

Where does the word "beluga" come from? It comes from Russian beluga, adopted directly into English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
beluga
Russian · medieval
"great white sturgeon"
from belyi 'white'; the name of the Caspian's giant sturgeon, which can exceed a tonne (the white whale is belukha)
2
Stage 2 of 2
beluga
English · 1590s
"sturgeon; white whale"
applied first to the sturgeon and later to the white whale; the US banned imports of beluga caviar in 2005 as the fish neared extinction
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Beluga’s story begins in Russian: beluga meant “great white sturgeon.” From belyi 'white'; the name of the Caspian's giant sturgeon, which can exceed a tonne (the white whale is belukha). It reached English by 1590s as beluga. Applied first to the sturgeon and later to the white whale; the US banned imports of beluga caviar in 2005 as the fish neared extinction. Today, beluga means a large sturgeon prized for its caviar; a small white Arctic whale.