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Where does the word "doppelganger" come from? It comes from German doppel, passing through German before entering English (1800s).
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Where does the word "doppelganger" come from? It comes from German doppel, passing through German before entering English (1800s).
Doppelganger’s story begins in German: doppel meant “double.” Within German, it grew into Doppelgänger by 1700s. Combining "doppel" with "Gänger" (goer), a ghostly double of a living person. It reached English by 1800s as doppelganger. Coined by Jean Paul in his 1796 novel 'Siebenkäs'. Today, doppelganger means a look-alike or double of a living person.
- Stage 1 · German · medieval doppel "double", meaning "double".
- Stage 2 · German · 1700s Doppelgänger "a ghostly double", combining "doppel" with "Gänger" (goer), a ghostly double of a living person.
- Stage 3 · English · 1800s doppelganger "a look-alike or double of a living person", coined by Jean Paul in his 1796 novel 'Siebenkäs'.