The Spanish word 'novedad' (meaning 'novelty' or 'news') comes from the Latin word 'novitas', meaning 'newness'. 'Novitas' itself was formed by combining the Latin adjective 'novus' (meaning 'new') with the suffix '-tas', which was used to form abstract nouns indicating a quality or state. Over time, 'novitas' evolved into the Spanish 'novedad', maintaining its connection to the concept of newness but expanding to refer to something new, novel, or newsworthy.

Several common Spanish words share the same Latin root 'novus': 'nuevo' (new), 'renovar' (to renew), 'novio/novia' (boyfriend/girlfriend, originally meaning 'new' in the context of a new relationship), and 'novedoso' (novel, innovative). These words all maintain the core meaning of 'newness' while applying it to different contexts.

Many English words are related to 'novedad' through the same Latin root 'novus': 'new', 'novel', 'novelty', 'innovate', 'renovate', and 'novice'. The English word 'novelty' is particularly close in both meaning and form to the Spanish 'novedad', as both descended from Latin 'novitas'. 'Novel' as both an adjective meaning 'new and unusual' and a noun referring to a book also shares this etymology, reflecting how something 'new' became associated with storytelling.