Barlaam

The story

1. Sanskrit · derived fromपुरोहित“priest”
2. Sanskrit · derived fromभगवान्“God”
3. Arabic · derived fromبِلَوْهَر
4. Georgian · derived fromბალაჰვარ
5. Medieval Greek · derived fromΒαρλαάμ
6. Medieval Latin · borrowed fromBarlaam
7. English todayBarlaam

Unknown. The immediate source is Medieval Latin Barlaam, itself borrowed from Medieval Greek Βαρλαάμ (Barlaám) in the Byzantine Life of Barlaam and Josaphat (probably 11th c.), itself likely borrowed from Georgian ბალაჰვარ (balahvar). First attested c. 8th century as Arabic بِلَوْهَر (bilawhar), perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit भगवान् (bhagavān, “God”) or from Sanskrit पुरोहित (purohita, “priest”) via an unattested Middle Persian form.

Words from the same roots