Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Johor Bahru” come from?

Johor Bahru (English) comes from Malay Johor Bahru, from Malay Johor, from Arabic جَوْهَر, from Persian گوهر, from Middle Persian gwhl, from Old Persian gauθra.

Ancestry of “Johor Bahru”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1MalayJohor Bahru—
2MalayJohor—
3Arabicجَوْهَرgem, jewel; jewel, pearl; jewels
4Persianگوهرjewel; gem; pearl
5Middle Persiangwhlsubstance, essence, nature; jewel; stock, lineage
6Old Persiangauθra—
Every word from Old Persian gauθra →