The Spanish word 'bandeja' (meaning 'tray') comes from Portuguese 'bandeja' with the same meaning. The Portuguese word was formed by combining 'banda' (meaning 'band' or 'strip') with the diminutive suffix '-eja'. The word 'banda' itself can be traced back to the Frankish word 'binda', meaning 'ribbon' or 'band'. This etymology suggests that a tray was conceptualized as a small, flat band or strip that could hold items.

The Spanish word 'banda' (meaning 'band', 'strip', or 'sash') is a simpler related word that shares the same Frankish root 'binda'. While 'banda' retained the original meaning of a strip or band, 'bandeja' evolved to specifically refer to a flat serving tray.

The English word 'band' is actually related to 'bandeja', as both can be traced back to the Frankish word 'binda'. While 'band' maintained the original meaning of a strip or ribbon in English, the Spanish 'bandeja' developed into a word for a tray, possibly because early trays were conceived as flat, band-like surfaces. The English words 'bind' and 'binding' are also related, all sharing the concept of something that wraps around or contains.