'curiosidad' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'curiositas', where 'curiosus' meant 'careful, inquisitive' and 'cura' meant 'care'.

'curiosidad' changed from the Latin word 'curiositas' (attested in Late/Classical Latin) through Medieval Latin and Old French 'curiosité', and eventually became the modern Spanish word 'curiosidad' via Vulgar Latin into Medieval Spanish.

Initially it meant 'carefulness' or 'attentiveness'; over time it shifted toward the modern meanings of 'desire to know' (intellectual curiosity) and 'an unusual or interesting thing'.