girl

Where does the word "girl" come from? It comes from Middle English gurle, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Girl’s story begins in Middle English: gurle meant “child.” Meant a child of either sex; a boy could be called a 'knave gerle'; its origin is unknown, perhaps related to Low German 'göre', child. It reached English by 1500s as girl. Narrowed to mean a female child by the 1500s. Today, girl means a female child or young woman.

1. Stage 1 · Middle English · 1300s gurle "child", meant a child of either sex; a boy could be called a 'knave gerle'; its origin is unknown, perhaps related to Low German 'göre', child.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s girl "female child", narrowed to mean a female child by the 1500s.