Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “luna” come from?

Luna derives from Latin luna, from Proto-Italic louksnā, from Proto-Indo-European lewk-, a root meaning to shine or be bright.

luna (English): A luna moth: a member of species "Actias luna"; A...

Definitions

  1. A luna moth: a member of species "Actias luna"; A...

Ancestry of “luna”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinlunathe Moon; a month; a night
2Middle EnglishluneThe celestial body closest to the Earth,...
3Old Frenchlunethe Moon
4Latinlūna—
5Old Latinlosna—
6Proto-Italiclouksnā—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlówksneh₂moon
8Proto-Indo-Europeanlewḱ-lynx
9Proto-Indo-Europeanlewk-bright; to shine; to see
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lewk- →