Etymology Map
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Person

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a human being as an individual

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
persona
Latin · ancient
"mask; character"
an actor's mask, possibly from Etruscan 'phersu'
2
Stage 2 of 3
persone
Old French · medieval
"human being"
also gave 'parson', the chief person of a parish
3
Stage 3 of 3
person
English · 1200s
"a human being"
'personality' followed in the 1300s
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Read the full story

Person’s story begins in Latin: persona meant “mask; character.” An actor's mask, possibly from Etruscan 'phersu'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as persone. Also gave 'parson', the chief person of a parish. It reached English by 1200s as person. 'personality' followed in the 1300s. Today, person means a human being as an individual.