Etymology Map
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Nomad

4 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a member of a people with no permanent home who travel from place to place

Where does the word "nomad" come from? It comes from Greek nomas, passing through Latin and French before entering English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
nomas
Greek · ancient
"wandering herder"
'roaming to find pasture', from 'nemein', to graze; the Romans' 'Numidia' in North Africa was named from it
2
Stage 2 of 4
nomas
Latin · ancient
"nomad"
a wandering herdsman
3
Stage 3 of 4
nomade
French · 1500s
"nomad"
nomadic peoples
4
Stage 4 of 4
nomad
English · 1580s
"wanderer"
'digital nomad' dates from the 1990s
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Read the full story

Nomad’s story begins in Greek: nomas meant “wandering herder.” 'roaming to find pasture', from 'nemein', to graze; the Romans' 'Numidia' in North Africa was named from it. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as nomas. A wandering herdsman. From there it passed into French as nomade by 1500s. Nomadic peoples. It reached English by 1580s as nomad. 'digital nomad' dates from the 1990s. Today, nomad means a member of a people with no permanent home who travel from place to place.