The Spanish word 'marihuana' comes from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. It's a compound word formed from two Nahuatl elements: 'malli' meaning 'twisting herb' and 'huana', which is derived from 'tlahuani' meaning 'intoxicated'. The combination of these elements creates a descriptive term that refers to both the physical appearance of the plant (twisted or entwined) and its intoxicating effects.

Since 'marihuana' comes directly from Nahuatl into Spanish and is a relatively recent borrowing, there aren't many simpler or more common Spanish words that share its etymology. This is typical of words that Spanish borrowed from indigenous American languages after colonization.

The English word 'marijuana' (or 'marihuana') was borrowed directly from Mexican Spanish. While the spelling might vary slightly between English and Spanish, the pronunciation and meaning remain essentially the same. This is one of many words that entered English through contact with Mexican Spanish, particularly in the southwestern United States.