Where does “Siam” come from?
Siam (Malay) comes from Thai สยาม, from Pali suvaṇṇabhūmi, from Pali suvaṇṇa, from Sanskrit सुवर्ण, from Sanskrit वर्ण, from Proto-Indo-Iranian wárnas, from Proto-Indo-European wēr-, from Proto-Indo-European wer- — to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel.
Siam (Malay): Thai; relating to Thailand, the Thai people, or the Thai language
Definitions
- Thai; relating to Thailand, the Thai people, or the Thai language
Ancestry of “Siam”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thai | สยาม | Siam, historical name |
| 2 | Pali | suvaṇṇabhūmi | land of gold; a name for a country in Southeast... |
| 3 | Pali | suvaṇṇa | gold; beautiful |
| 4 | Sanskrit | सुवर्ण | of a good or beautiful colour, brilliant in hue,... |
| 5 | Sanskrit | वर्ण | outward appearance, exterior, figure, form,... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-Iranian | wárnas | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wēr- | true |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | wer- | to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel |