Euro
/ˈjʊəroʊ/noun
The common currency used by many countries in the European Union.
Did you know?The name euro was officially chosen in 1995, but it ultimately comes from Greek mythic geography: Europa was a legendary Phoenician princess whose name became the source of “Europe.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Εὐρώπη (Eurṓpē)
“Europa, a mythological princess; later the name of a region west of Asia”
Latin
Latin
Europa
“Europe, the continent”
Middle Ages
Medieval Latin / Old French
europaeus / Europe
“Relating to Europe; the continent itself”
1990s
English
euro
“A proposed name for the new European currency”
1999
English
euro
“The official name of the currency introduced electronically”
2002
English
euro
“The cash currency notes and coins entered circulation”