Goby
/ˈɡoʊ.bi/noun
A small fish, usually marine, belonging to the family Gobiidae and often recognized by its rounded body and fused pelvic fins.
Did you know?The name traces back to ancient Greek kōbios through Latin gobius, while modern scientific group names such as Gobioidei preserve the same ancient fish-word.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κώβιος (kṓbios)
“A kind of small fish; the precise species was not necessarily identical to the modern goby.”
Classical Latin
Latin
gobius
“A goby-like fish, borrowed from Greek.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
gobio
“A small fish name used in zoological and culinary contexts.”
Old French
Old French
gobie / goujon
“Names for small fish; goujon became the source of English gudgeon.”
17th Century
English
goby
“A name for a small fish, adopted from French gobie or directly from Latin gobius.”
Modern English
English
goby
“A member of the fish family Gobiidae, including many small bottom-dwelling species.”