The Spanish word 'pipa' (meaning 'pipe' or 'smoking pipe') traces back to the Latin word 'pipare', which meant 'to chirp' or 'peep' - likely an onomatopoeic word imitating the sound of birds. This evolved into the Vulgar Latin word '*pipa', meaning 'small flute', presumably because early flutes made whistling sounds similar to bird calls. Over time, the meaning broadened in Spanish to refer to various types of pipes, particularly smoking pipes, likely due to their tubular shape similar to that of a flute.

Some related Spanish words include 'pipo' (a type of barrel or cask), and the verb 'pipear' (to smoke a pipe). These words share the same root and maintain connections to the concept of hollow, tube-like objects used for containing or conducting something.

The English word 'pipe' is etymologically related to 'pipa', coming from the same Latin roots. Just like in Spanish, the English word can refer to both musical pipes (as in 'bagpipes') and tubes for smoking or conducting fluids. The English word 'peep' (as in a bird's sound) is also related, maintaining a direct connection to the original Latin 'pipare' meaning 'to chirp'.