Etymology Map
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Dolphin

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a small intelligent toothed whale with a beak-like snout

Where does the word "dolphin" come from? It comes from Greek delphis, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
delphis
Greek · ancient
"dolphin"
related to 'delphys', womb, perhaps for its shape or as a 'fish with a womb'
2
Stage 2 of 3
delphinus
Latin · ancient
"dolphin"
also gave the French royal title 'dauphin'
3
Stage 3 of 3
dolphin
English · 1300s
"a marine mammal"
came via Old French 'daulphin'
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Read the full story

Dolphin’s story begins in Greek: delphis meant “dolphin.” Related to 'delphys', womb, perhaps for its shape or as a 'fish with a womb'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as delphinus. Also gave the French royal title 'dauphin'. It reached English by 1300s as dolphin. Came via Old French 'daulphin'. Today, dolphin means a small intelligent toothed whale with a beak-like snout.