The Spanish word 'nota' comes from the Latin word 'nota' meaning 'mark' or 'sign'. This Latin word developed from 'gnota', the feminine form of the word meaning 'known', which in turn came from the Latin verb 'gnoscere' meaning 'to know'. The evolution from 'knowing' to 'mark/note' makes intuitive sense - a note or mark is something that helps you know or remember information.

Some related Spanish words include 'notable' (notable, remarkable), 'notario' (notary), and 'anotación' (annotation). All these words share the core meaning of marking, noting, or recording something important.

English speakers will recognize many cognates from this same Latin root, including 'note', 'notation', 'notice', and 'notify'. The connection to 'knowing' is preserved in words like 'notion' (an idea or concept) and even 'notorious' (widely known, usually for something negative). All these words trace back to the same Latin roots about knowing and marking.