Where does “Ethel” come from?

Ethel is derived from Old English æþele, from Proto-Germanic aþalaz, from Proto-Indo-European átta, from Proto-Indo-European at-al, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂el-.

Ethel (English): popular at the turn of the 20th century

Definitions

  1. popular at the turn of the 20th century

Ancestry of “Ethel”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishæþelenoble
2Proto-Germanicaþalaznoble
3Proto-Germanicaþaląnature, disposition; nobility, race
4Proto-Indo-Europeanat-alfamily, race
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European at-al →Every word from Proto-Germanic aþalą →