Etymology Map
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Pagan

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a follower of a non-mainstream religion

Where does the word "pagan" come from? It comes from Latin paganus, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
paganus
Latin · ancient
"villager, rustic"
from 'pagus', country district
2
Stage 2 of 3
paganus
Late Latin · ancient
"non-Christian"
Christians used it for those outside the faith; English took it directly from Latin
3
Stage 3 of 3
pagan
English · 1300s
"heathen"
the neo-pagan revival dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Pagan’s story begins in Latin: paganus meant “villager, rustic.” From 'pagus', country district. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as paganus. Christians used it for those outside the faith; English took it directly from Latin. It reached English by 1300s as pagan. The neo-pagan revival dates from the 1900s. Today, pagan means a follower of a non-mainstream religion.