orisha

Where does the word "orisha" come from? It comes from Yoruba òrìṣà, passing through Spanish before entering English (1854).

Orisha’s story begins in Yoruba: òrìṣà meant “a deity or spirit.” Named the intermediary deities and spirits of Yoruba religion. By 1700s-1800s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as orichá. Carried to Cuba by enslaved Yoruba people and reshaped in Lucumí/Santería practice. It reached English by 1854 as orisha. Entered English print in the United States describing Yoruba and Santería religious practice. Today, orisha means a deity or spirit in the Yoruba religion, also venerated in Santería and other diaspora traditions.

1. Stage 1 · Yoruba · traditional òrìṣà "a deity or spirit", named the intermediary deities and spirits of Yoruba religion.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1700s-1800s orichá "a Santería deity linked to a Catholic saint", carried to Cuba by enslaved Yoruba people and reshaped in Lucumí/Santería practice.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1854 orisha "a Yoruba deity", entered English print in the United States describing Yoruba and Santería religious practice.