god

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

God’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: gudą meant “god.” Perhaps 'the invoked one'; neuter in early Germanic, used for pagan gods. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as god. Became masculine and was used for the Christian God after Augustine's mission of 597. It reached English by 1500s as god. 'gospel' is Old English 'gōdspel', good news. Today, god means a deity; in Christianity and other faiths, the creator.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient gudą "god", perhaps 'the invoked one'; neuter in early Germanic, used for pagan gods.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s god "God, god", became masculine and was used for the Christian God after Augustine's mission of 597.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s god "god", 'gospel' is Old English 'gōdspel', good news.