Etymology Map
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People

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means human beings in general

Where does the word "people" come from? It comes from Latin populus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
populus
Latin · ancient
"a people, nation"
possibly borrowed from Etruscan
2
Stage 2 of 3
pueple
Old French · medieval
"people"
replaced Old English 'leode'
3
Stage 3 of 3
people
English · 1200s
"persons"
'populace' and 'popular' are later borrowings of the same root
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Read the full story

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.