Etymology Map
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Blond

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means having fair or pale yellow hair

Where does the word "blond" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin blundus, passing through Old French before entering English (1480s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
blundus
Medieval Latin · medieval
"yellow"
a Medieval Latin word, possibly Frankish
2
Stage 2 of 3
blond
Old French · medieval
"fair-haired"
'blonde' keeps the French feminine form
3
Stage 3 of 3
blond
English · 1480s
"fair"
first recorded in the 1480s, then reborrowed from French in the 1600s; 'blond' for men and 'blonde' for women follows French gender
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Read the full story

Blond’s story begins in Medieval Latin: blundus meant “yellow.” A Medieval Latin word, possibly Frankish. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as blond. 'blonde' keeps the French feminine form. It reached English by 1480s as blond. First recorded in the 1480s, then reborrowed from French in the 1600s; 'blond' for men and 'blonde' for women follows French gender. Today, blond means having fair or pale yellow hair.