The Spanish word 'zapato' meaning 'shoe' comes directly from Old Spanish 'çapato', which had the same meaning. The evolution from 'çapato' to 'zapato' represents a common sound change in Spanish where the Old Spanish letter 'ç' (pronounced similar to 's') evolved into the modern Spanish 'z' sound. While the ultimate origin before Old Spanish is uncertain, this word has become the standard term for 'shoe' in modern Spanish.

Some common related Spanish words include 'zapatería' (shoe store), 'zapatero' (shoemaker), and 'zapatilla' (slipper or sneaker). These words are all derived from 'zapato' with different suffixes to indicate related concepts.

While 'zapato' doesn't have direct English cognates, the English word 'sabaton' (a piece of armor covering the foot) entered medieval English through Old French, and may share a distant connection to the same ultimate source as 'zapato'. However, this connection is uncertain and 'sabaton' is now an obsolete term primarily known in historical contexts.