Bangla
/ˈbʌŋ.ɡlə/noun
The Bengali language or the Bengali name for Bengal.
Did you know?The name ultimately comes from the ancient region of Vanga/Banga, mentioned in early Indian sources, and later spread through Persian and European records before becoming the modern self-name Bangla.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient India
Sanskrit
Vanga
“An ancient region in eastern India, roughly in the area of modern Bengal.”
Classical / Early Medieval India
Sanskrit
Banga
“A regional name used for the same eastern territory, later associated with Bengal.”
Medieval Persian
Persian
Bangala / Bangalah
“The Persian name for Bengal, used in administration and travel accounts.”
Late Medieval / Early Modern
European
Bengala / Bengal
“European forms of the name for the region of Bengal, borrowed through Persian and local usage.”
Modern Bengali
Bengali
Bangla
“The Bengali name for Bengal and, by extension, the Bengali language.”