'Ethiopian' originates from the Greek word 'Aithiops', where 'aitho' meant 'I burn' and 'ops' meant 'face', referring to the sunburnt complexion of the people.

'Aithiops' transformed into the Latin word 'Aethiops', and eventually became the modern English word 'Ethiopian'.

Initially, it referred to people with sunburnt faces, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of relating to Ethiopia or its people.