The Spanish word 'tarántula' traces its origins back to the ancient Italian city of Tarentum (modern-day Taranto). In Medieval Latin, the word 'tarantula' was derived from the Italian word 'tarantola', which itself came from the city name Tarentum. This connection exists because this region was historically known for its large wolf spiders, and people believed that being bitten by these spiders would cause a condition called tarantism, characterized by an uncontrollable urge to dance.

While 'tarántula' itself is a relatively common Spanish word, there aren't many simpler or more common Spanish words directly related to it etymologically, as it comes directly from the name of an Italian city.

The English word 'tarantula' is a direct cognate of the Spanish 'tarántula', as both come from the same Medieval Latin source. Interestingly, the word 'tarantella' - a traditional southern Italian dance - is also related, as it was believed to be the cure for tarantism, the supposed condition caused by tarantula bites.