Etymology Map
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Brother

3 stages from Proto-Germanic to English.

Today it means a son of the same parents as another person

Where does the word "brother" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic brōþēr, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
brōþēr
Proto-Germanic · ancient
"brother"
matches Latin 'frāter' and Sanskrit 'bhrātṛ'
2
Stage 2 of 3
brōþor
Old English · 700s-1000s
"brother"
also used for fellow monks, as Latin 'frāter' was
3
Stage 3 of 3
brother
English · 1500s
"male sibling"
the old plural 'brethren' survives for members of a religious community
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Read the full story

Brother’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: brōþēr meant “brother.” Matches Latin 'frāter' and Sanskrit 'bhrātṛ'. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as brōþor. Also used for fellow monks, as Latin 'frāter' was. It reached English by 1500s as brother. The old plural 'brethren' survives for members of a religious community. Today, brother means a son of the same parents as another person.