Etymology Map
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Puppet

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a movable model of a person or animal

Where does the word "puppet" come from? It comes from Latin pupa, passing through French before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pupa
Latin · ancient
"girl, doll"
the root of 'pupil' and 'pupa'
2
Stage 2 of 3
poupette
French · 1500s
"little doll"
a diminutive of 'poupe', doll
3
Stage 3 of 3
puppet
English · 1500s
"doll"
'puppet government' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Puppet’s story begins in Latin: pupa meant “girl, doll.” The root of 'pupil' and 'pupa'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as poupette. A diminutive of 'poupe', doll. It reached English by 1500s as puppet. 'puppet government' dates from the 1800s. Today, puppet means a movable model of a person or animal.