Agni
/ˈɐɡ.ni/noun
Agni is the Vedic Hindu deity of fire and the sacred fire used in ritual offerings.
Did you know?In the Rigveda, Agni is both the visible sacrificial flame and a divine messenger who conveys offerings from humans to the gods.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁n̥gʷnis
“Fire”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
agní-
“Fire; the fire deity and ritual sacrificial flame”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἄκνηστις (possibly related form)
“A proposed cognate connection, though the Greek evidence is uncertain”
Classical Latin
Latin
ignis
“Fire”
Old English
English
inġnian
“To set on fire or kindle; an early form connected through Latin influence”
Modern English
English
ignite
“To set alight or begin burning; ultimately related to Sanskrit Agni through the ancient fire-root”
Explore more surprising origins