Etymology Explorer › French

Where does “Europe” come from?

Europe (French) comes from Latin Eurōpa, from Ancient Greek Εὐρώπη, from Ancient Greek ὤψ, from Proto-Hellenic ókʷs, from Proto-Indo-European h₃ókʷs, from Proto-Indo-European h₃ekʷ- — to see; eye.

Ancestry of “Europe”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinEurōpa—
2Ancient GreekΕὐρώπηEuropa; Europe
3Ancient Greekὤψto the eye; in the face; eye
4Proto-Hellenicókʷs—
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃ókʷseye
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃ekʷ-to see; eye

Words derived from “Europe”

  • européen
  • européaniser
  • Europe centrale
  • européiste
  • déseuropéaniser
  • Europa
  • Ewòp
  • Lerop
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₃ekʷ- →