Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Genesis” come from?

Genesis comes from Ancient Greek γένεσις, which derives from Proto-Indo-European ǵenh₁-, a root meaning to produce or bring forth.

Ancestry of “Genesis”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latingenesisgeneration, creation, nativity; birth
2Ancient GreekΓένεσις—
3Proto-Hellenicgénetisorigin, source
4Proto-Indo-Europeanǵénh₁tisbirth, production
5Proto-Indo-Europeanǵenh₁-to produce, to beget, to give birth
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵenh₁- →