The Spanish word 'parva' comes from the Latin word 'parvus' meaning 'small', with the Spanish feminine suffix '-a' added to create the feminine form. In Spanish, 'parva' specifically came to refer to a small pile or heap, particularly of grain or cereals that have been threshed but not yet winnowed.

Some related Spanish words include 'párvu(lo)' meaning 'little one' or 'small child', which shares the same Latin root 'parvus'. The word 'parvedad' meaning 'smallness' or 'insignificance' is another related term that preserves the original meaning of smallness from Latin.

While English doesn't have many common direct descendants from Latin 'parvus', we do see it in some technical or scientific terms. For example, 'parvi-' appears as a prefix in scientific terms like 'parviflorous' (having small flowers) and 'parvocellular' (containing small cells). The word 'parvenu', borrowed from French but ultimately from Latin 'parvus', means 'a person of humble origins who has recently become wealthy'.