'Arabian' originates from Medieval Latin and Latin, specifically the word 'Arabia', where the root 'Arab-' referred to the geographic region and its people (those of the Arabian Peninsula).

'Arabian' changed from Latin 'Arabia' into Old French/Medieval Latin forms such as 'arabien' and Middle English 'Arabien', eventually becoming the modern English 'Arabian'.

Initially it meant 'of or relating to Arabia or its people'; over time it has also been used as a noun to denote specific things connected to Arabia (for example, the 'Arabian' horse breed) and occasionally as a noun for people.