Django
/ˈdʒæŋɡoʊ/noun
Django is a proper name most famously associated with jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and the fictional character in the film Django Unchained.
Did you know?Django Reinhardt continued performing after a fire severely damaged his left hand, developing an influential two-finger guitar technique.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵneh₃-
“To know or recognize; this root is a proposed deep ancestor connected with Romani forms associated with Django.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
jñāna
“Knowledge or understanding; a historically related form from the same Indo-European root.”
Modern Romani
Romani
Django / džaŋo
“A personal name or nickname, often glossed as “I awake” or connected with knowing; the precise derivation remains debated.”
1910s–1920s
French/Romani usage
Django
“Nickname of Jean Reinhardt, the Belgian-born Romani jazz guitarist who became known professionally by this name.”
1950s onward
English
Django
“A cultural reference chiefly associated with Django Reinhardt, later used for fictional characters, including the protagonist of Django Unchained.”