Where does “Männlein” come from?

Männlein (German) comes from German mann, from Middle High German man, from Old High German man, from Proto-Germanic *mann-, from Proto-Indo-European men- — to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

Männlein (German): male animal; Diminutive of Mann

Definitions

  1. male animal; Diminutive of Mann

Ancestry of “Männlein”, step by step

Männlein traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via German mann

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Germanmannman, male human being
2Middle High Germanmanman
3Old High Germanmanman
4Proto-Germanic*mann-—
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmen-to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

via Middle High German menlīn

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle High Germanmenlīn—
2Old High Germanmenlīn—

Words derived from “Männlein”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European men- →Every word from Proto-Germanic *mann- →Every word from Old High German man →
Männlein — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer