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Where does the word "people" come from? It comes from Latin populus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "people" come from? It comes from Latin populus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
People’s story begins in Latin: populus meant “a people, nation.” Possibly borrowed from Etruscan. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pueple. Replaced Old English 'leode'. It reached English by 1200s as people. 'populace' and 'popular' are later borrowings of the same root. Today, people means human beings in general.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient populus "a people, nation", possibly borrowed from Etruscan.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval pueple "people", replaced Old English 'leode'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s people "persons", 'populace' and 'popular' are later borrowings of the same root.