Bilbao
/bilˈβao/noun
A city and municipality in the Basque Country of northern Spain.
Did you know?The English word “bilbo,” once meaning a finely tempered sword, was named after Bilbao, which was historically associated with high-quality steel and swordmaking.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Roman period
Basque?
Uncertain
“No securely established pre-Roman form of the name survives, and the ultimate origin remains disputed.”
1300
Old Spanish
Bilvao
“The earliest commonly cited medieval written form, appearing in the founding charter of the town.”
14th Century
Basque
Bilbo
“A Basque form of the place-name that continued alongside Romance spellings.”
16th Century
English
bilbo
“A sword associated with Bilbao, especially one valued for its quality and temper.”
17th Century
English
bilboes
“Iron shackles or leg irons; the term developed from the association with Bilbao-made iron goods.”
Modern English
English
Bilbao
“The standard English name for the major industrial, cultural, and port city in northern Spain.”