Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Saint Croix” come from?

Saint Croix (English) comes from French croix, from German Kreuz, from Spanish Cruz, from Portuguese cruz, from Italian croce, from Latin crux, from Proto-Italic *kruks, from Proto-Indo-European sḱer- — to caw, crow.

Ancestry of “Saint Croix”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchcroixcross; a representation of a cross; the cross as...
2GermanKreuzcross; clubs; sharp
3SpanishCruz—
4Portuguesecruzcross
5Italiancrocecross
6Latincruxwooden frame on which criminals were crucified,...
7Proto-Italic*kruks—
8Proto-Indo-Europeansḱer-to caw, crow
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sḱer- →