Etymology Map
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Cilantro

4 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means the leaves of the coriander plant used as a herb

Where does the word "cilantro" come from? It comes from Greek koriannon, passing through Latin and Spanish before entering English (1920s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
koriannon
Greek · ancient
"coriander"
coriander
2
Stage 2 of 4
coriandrum
Latin · ancient
"coriander"
coriander
3
Stage 3 of 4
cilantro
Spanish · medieval
"coriander"
sounds shifted from 'coriandro' to 'culantro' and 'cilantro'
4
Stage 4 of 4
cilantro
American English · 1920s
"coriander leaves"
Americans use 'cilantro' for the leaves, while British English calls both leaves and seeds 'coriander'
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Read the full story

Cilantro’s story begins in Greek: koriannon meant “coriander.” Coriander. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as coriandrum. Coriander. From there it passed into Spanish as cilantro by medieval. Sounds shifted from 'coriandro' to 'culantro' and 'cilantro'. It reached English by 1920s as cilantro. Americans use 'cilantro' for the leaves, while British English calls both leaves and seeds 'coriander'. Today, cilantro means the leaves of the coriander plant used as a herb.