The small, migratory bird known as the Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) has a name that often causes confusion for those encountering it for the first time. The common assumption is that the “turtle” part of its name must be a reference to the shelled reptile, suggesting a connection that does not exist. This misinterpretation is understandable, given the identical spelling in modern English. The true origin of the name is entirely rooted in a linguistic history separate from the reptile, translating the bird’s distinctive sound into human language.
The Ancient Linguistic Root
The designation for this bird has no etymological link to the reptile we call a turtle. The reptile’s name entered the English language in the 17th century, having a completely different linguistic lineage. The bird’s name, conversely, is significantly older, with its journey beginning in classical antiquity.
The word “turtle” in the context of the dove is a direct descendant of the Latin word turtur, which was used by the Romans to refer to the bird. This Latin root then passed into Old English as turtla and subsequently into Middle English as turtle. The species name itself, turtur, is a form of onomatopoeia, the creation of a word by imitating a sound, which points to the origin of the name in the bird’s unique call.
The Onomatopoeic Sound
The initial naming of the Turtle Dove was a direct auditory transcription of its vocal pattern. The dove’s characteristic call is a soft, purring, and continuous sound, often transcribed as a repetitive “turr-turr-turr.” This gentle, murmuring coo is what the early Latin speakers were attempting to capture when they coined the term turtur.
The specific quality of the sound is a sustained, rhythmic sound rather than the distinct two-note coo made by many other dove species. It is this distinctive vocal texture that became the bird’s enduring identifier, reflecting a literal translation of the acoustic experience into a linguistic root.
Symbolism and Cultural References
The unique name, derived from its call, has been cemented in human culture due to the bird’s enduring symbolism. Turtle Doves are renowned for forming strong pair bonds, often perceived as mating for life, which has made them a powerful emblem of devoted love and fidelity across many cultures.
The bird’s cultural presence extends from ancient mythology to modern traditions. In Greek and Roman traditions, the doves were associated with the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus, and with Fides, the Roman goddess of trust and good faith. This symbolism is reflected in literature, where poets like Shakespeare and Chaucer frequently used the “turtle” as a shorthand for a loyal mate. The species is perhaps most widely recognized today for its mention in the popular Christmas carol, where the “two turtle doves” represent the devotion and partnership attributed to the species.