Babilonia
/ba.biˈlɔ.nja/noun
A historical and biblical name for Babylon, especially in Spanish, Italian, and related languages.
Did you know?The name Babylon was reinterpreted by ancient Hebrew writers through the word for “confusion,” inspiring the biblical story of the Tower of Babel and its shattered languages.
Etymological Timeline
Late 2nd millennium BCE
Akkadian
Bāb-ilim
“Gate of the god”
1st millennium BCE
Aramaic
Bābel
“Babylon”
Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew
Bāvel
“Babylon; later associated by wordplay with confusion”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Babylṓn
“Babylon”
Classical Latin
Latin
Babylōn / Babylōnia
“Babylon / the land or kingdom of Babylon”
Medieval Romance
Spanish and Italian
Babilonia
“Babylon”
Modern English
English
Babylonia
“The ancient region or empire centered on Babylon”
Explore more surprising origins