'tulip' originates from Ottoman Turkish, specifically the word 'tülbend' (also written 'tülbent'), where 'tülbend' meant 'turban' (ultimately from Persian 'dulband').

'tulip' came into European languages via French 'tulipe' in the late 16th century and was adopted into English as 'tulip'. The flower's shape, resembling a turban, influenced the name.

Initially it referred to a 'turban' (from the original Turkish/Persian sense); over time the word came to denote the flower and now primarily means the plant or its blossom.