'hurray' originates from Germanic/Scandinavian exclamations, specifically the word 'hurra', where the root served as an exclamation of joy or a call to urge on.

'hurray' changed from the German/Scandinavian 'hurra' and entered English as 'hurrah' in the late 18th century; later variant spellings such as 'hurray' and 'hooray' developed.

Initially, it meant 'a shout to spur on or cheer', but over time it evolved into its current use as an exclamation of joy or approval.