'Hooray' originates from English, specifically as a variant of the exclamation 'hurrah' (also spelled 'hurray'), which is likely imitative in origin and found in various Germanic languages (e.g. German 'hura').

'Hooray' changed from earlier forms such as 'hurrah' and 'hurray' (recorded from the 17th–18th centuries) and eventually settled as the modern English spelling 'hooray' alongside variant spellings.

Initially it meant a short shout or cry used to express encouragement, approval, or to spur on (for example, troops or work animals); over time it has remained an exclamation of joy or approval but has also developed ironic usages.