EtymologyMap
Back to all words

Trace the journey of words

Today it means

nirvana

a state of perfect peace and freedom from suffering, or any blissful state

Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate

Where does the word "nirvana" come from? It comes from Sanskrit nirvana, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Read the full story

Where does the word "nirvana" come from? It comes from Sanskrit nirvana, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Nirvana’s story begins in Sanskrit: nirvana meant “the extinguishing of suffering.” Literally "blowing out", describing the extinguishing of desire and suffering. It reached English by 1800s as nirvana. Sanskrit 'blowing out', as of a flame; the Seattle band Nirvana took the name in 1987. Today, nirvana means a state of perfect peace and freedom from suffering, or any blissful state.

  1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient nirvana "the extinguishing of suffering", literally "blowing out", describing the extinguishing of desire and suffering.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s nirvana "a state of perfect peace and liberation", Sanskrit 'blowing out', as of a flame; the Seattle band Nirvana took the name in 1987.

Browse by origin