The Spanish word 'gitano' meaning 'gypsy' comes from the Old Spanish 'egiptano', which meant 'Egyptian' or 'gypsy'. This in turn derives from Late Latin 'aegyptanus', meaning 'Egyptian'. This etymology reflects the historical misconception that the Romani people (gypsies) originally came from Egypt, when they actually originated in India. The word underwent phonetic simplification from 'aegyptanus' to 'egiptano' to 'gitano', with the 'ae' and 'p' being dropped over time.

The word 'egipcio' (Egyptian) is a related Spanish word that comes from the same Latin root 'aegyptanus'. While 'gitano' evolved to specifically refer to the Romani people, 'egipcio' retained its original meaning of 'relating to Egypt'.

The English word 'gypsy' is conceptually related, though it comes from a different etymological path through 'Egyptian'. Both 'gitano' and 'gypsy' reflect the same historical misunderstanding that the Romani people came from Egypt. The English word 'Egyptian' itself comes from the same Latin root 'aegyptanus'.