An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular state. → national, → international.

Etymology (EN): Nation, from O.Fr. nacion, from L. nationem (nom. natio) “nation, stock, race,” literally “that which has been born,” from natus, p.p. of nasci “to be born;” cognate with Pers. zâdan, → generate.

Etymology (PE): Nafân, from Av. nāfaēna- “family,” hama.nāfaēna- “of the same family,” related to nāfa- “near relationship, family, navel,” napāt- “grandson” (Mod.Pers. navé “grandson”); cf.
Mid.Pers. nâf “family,” nâfag “navel,” naft “descendant, " Parthian nap “family” (Mod.Pers. nâf “navel”); Sogd. nâf “country;” Sorani Kurd. natawa (Kurmanji Kurd. netewe) “family, race, nation,” from *nafata (with metathesis);
cf. Skt. nábhi- “nave, navel, central part; home, origin;” Gk. anepsios “cousin, sister’s son;” L. nepos “grandchild; descendant;” O.Lithuanian neputis “grandson; nephew;” O.H.G. nabalo “navel;” Ger. Nabel “navel;” O.E. nefa “grandson; descendant;”

• -ân suffix denoting family relationship, as in Bâbakân “family of Bâbak.”