The Spanish word 'pelota' meaning 'ball' comes from the Occitan word 'pelota', which itself derives from the Latin word 'pila' meaning 'ball'. The transformation from Latin 'pila' to the modern Spanish form shows a common pattern of Romance language evolution, where the diminutive suffix '-ota' was added to create a more specific term for a ball used in games and sports.

In Spanish, you'll find several related words that share this etymology, such as 'pelotero' (baseball player), 'pelotazo' (hit with a ball), and 'pelotera' (a fight or argument, metaphorically derived from a ball game). These words all build upon 'pelota' as their root word.

While English 'ball' is not directly related to 'pelota', English has borrowed some related terms, particularly in sports contexts. The Basque game 'pelota' or 'jai alai' has entered English vocabulary directly from Spanish. The word 'pill' in English comes from the same Latin root 'pila', though it developed to refer to a small round medicinal ball rather than a sports ball.