The Etymology and Evolution of Arabic Numerals: Words from the Ancient Arabian Peninsula36

Introduction

The numerals we use today, known as Arabic numerals, have a fascinating history that can be traced back to the ancient Arabian Peninsula. These numerals, which include the digits 0 to 9, are not originally Arabic, but rather evolved from a system of numerals developed by the Arab mathematician al-Khwarizmi in the 9th century. However, the numerals themselves have roots in much earlier writing systems used in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Origins of Arabic Numerals

The earliest known written numerals from the Arabian Peninsula date back to the 2nd century BCE and were found in the Lihyani inscriptions. These inscriptions used a system of numerals that was based on the Phoenician alphabet, with each letter representing a number. Later, around the 4th century CE, the Nabataeans, who inhabited the area that is now Jordan, developed a system of numerals that was more similar to the Arabic numerals we use today.

The Development of Arabic Numerals

In the 9th century CE, the Persian mathematician al-Khwarizmi developed a new system of numerals that was based on the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. This system, which included the digits 0 to 9, was more efficient and easier to use than the earlier systems, and it quickly became the standard for numerical notation in the Islamic world.

The Spread of Arabic Numerals

Arabic numerals were introduced to Europe in the 10th century CE by the Italian mathematician Fibonacci. Fibonacci was impressed by the efficiency and simplicity of the Arabic numerals, and he promoted their use in his book, Liber Abaci. Over time, Arabic numerals gradually replaced the Roman numerals that were previously used in Europe, and they became the standard for numerical notation throughout the world.

The Etymology of Arabic Numerals

The etymology of Arabic numerals is a complex and fascinating subject. The names of the digits 1 to 10 in Arabic are as follows:
واحد (wāḥid) - one
اثنان (ithnān) - two
ثلاثة (thalātha) - three
أربعة (arbaʿa) - four
خمسة (khamsa) - five
ستة (sitta) - six
سبعة (sabʿa) - seven
ثمانية (thamāniya) - eight
تسعة (tisʿa) - nine
عشرة (ʿashara) - ten

2024-12-28

Previous：Old South Arabian Inscriptions and Their Contribution to Semitic Linguistics

Next：Learn Arabic in Chengdu: A Guide to Language Schools and Resources