Bengali
/bɛŋˈɡɔːli/noun
Relating to Bengal, its people, or the Bengali language.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from the name of the Bengal region, whose older forms were recorded in Sanskrit as Vanga or related forms, showing how place-names can survive centuries of political and linguistic change.
Etymological Timeline
Modern English
English
Bengali
“A person, language, or thing from Bengal”
19th Century
English
Bengal + -i
“Formed as an English adjective and noun for things associated with Bengal”
Persian/Arabic Medieval
Persian
Bangāla / Bangalah
“A regional name for Bengal”
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Vanga
“An ancient name for a region in eastern India”
Ancient/Medieval regional usage
Indic
Vanga / Banga
“The name of the Bengal region and its people”
Explore more surprising origins