Where does “robin” come from?
Robin derives from the English given name Robin, a diminutive of the Old French name Robert.
robin (English): Any of various passerine birds of the families...
Definitions
- Any of various passerine birds of the families...
Ancestry of “robin”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | Robin | — |
| 2 | Old French | Robert | a Germanic (Old Frankish) borrowing |
| 3 | Frankish | berht | bright |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | berhtaz | bright, shining |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | hrabnaz | raven |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱorh₂- | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱer- | to grow, to make grow, to nourish; to plait,... |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | kr̥- | to turn, to bend |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | ker- | army |