An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The north polar area, north of latitude 66° 33’ 8’’ N.

Etymology (EN): Arctic, from O.Fr. artique, from L. arcticus, from Gk. arktikos “of the north,” literally
“of the (northerly prominent constellation) Bear,” from arktos “bear” (cf. Av. arša-, Mod.Pers. xers, Tabari aš, Skt. rksa, L. ursus; PIE *rtko-).

Etymology (PE): Hudargân, from hudar, → north,

• -gân prefix denoting the direction.
  Šomâlgân, from šomâl “north,” from Ar. šemâl “north, left”+ -gân.