Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
English tuna came from American Spanish tuna, a form used in California, and entered English in the second half of the 19th century. Its longer route runs through Spanish atún, Andalusian Arabic, Latin thunnus and Ancient Greek thynnos. The older English name was tunny; “tuna fish” is a later, familiar compound for the food.
How did the word “tuna” reach English?
The best-supported borrowing route is a sequence across languages, rather than a single jump from Greek to English:
- Ancient Greek: thynnos (θύννος) referred to tuna or tunny.
- Latin: The Greek form is reflected in Latin thunnus.
- Andalusian Arabic and Spanish: Spanish atún is traced through Andalusian Arabic atúnn or at-tūn to Latin thunnus. The University of Barcelona’s historical dictionary records Spanish examples from 1423 and 1499.
- American Spanish: The English form is traced to American Spanish tuna, especially the variety used in California.
- English: The California form entered English in the second half of the 19th century, according to NOAA/Scripps fisheries author W. L. Klawe.
The Greek-to-Latin-to-Arabic-to-Spanish sequence is a lexicographic reconstruction of the word’s history; it does not establish that every step was a direct spoken handoff. The American Heritage Dictionary gives the same broad chain for English tuna: American Spanish tuna < Spanish atún < Arabic at-tūn < Latin thunnus.
What did English speakers call tuna before “tuna”?
English already had tunny, a name borrowed through French from Latin. Etymological records date the English form to the 16th century, while tuna arrived centuries later. Klawe calls tuna “a newcomer to the English language” and notes that it seems to have entered use in the second half of the 19th century. The NOAA/Scripps account does not establish exactly why the newer form displaced tunny.
#1 Best Overall
Why did “tuna” replace “tunny”?
The precise reason is unknown. Klawe reports that the name most likely arose in California among immigrant fishermen, but the specific origin story is a hypothesis, not a settled explanation.
Lyman (1970) proposed that fishermen from the Ligurian Sea area of southern California first used tuna for bonito (Sarda chiliensis), and that the name later transferred to fish previously called tunny. This proposal offers a possible route for the California usage, but it does not prove how the change happened.
Rank #2
Is “tuna fish” redundant?
Literally, yes: tuna already names the fish. But English uses “tuna fish” naturally, particularly when talking about the edible flesh or canned product. A piece of the fish is commonly called a tuna steak; “tuna fish” often refers to the food in a sandwich or can. The compound is ordinary usage, even though its two words overlap in meaning.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does “tuna” mean “darting fish”?
Possibly, but that deeper explanation is uncertain. Etymological references connect Greek thynnos with thýnō, meaning “to rush” or “dart along.” That is a proposed connection, not proof that tuna literally means “darting fish.” The documented borrowing route is stronger evidence than this proposed explanation of the Greek root.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Magnolia Table is infused with Joanna Gaines' warmth and passion for all things family, prepared and served straight from the heart of her home, with recipes inspired by dozens of Gaines family favorites and classic comfort selections from the couple's new Waco restaurant, Magnolia Table.
- Jo believes there's no better way to celebrate family and friendship than through the art of togetherness, celebrating tradition, and sharing a great meal. Magnolia Table includes 125 classic recipes—from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to small plates, snacks, and desserts—presenting a modern selection of American classics and personal family favorites.
- Complemented by her love for her garden, these dishes also incorporate homegrown, seasonal produce at the peak of its flavor. Inside Magnolia Table, you'll find recipes the whole family will enjoy, such as:
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
