Etymology

Uncertain. Possibly from Proto-Albanian *ghaughau̯, after an onomatopoeic sound, in opposition to shqip ‎(“clear language”). Compare gaga ‎(“goose sound”), and gatë ‎(“heron”). Alternatively from Ancient Greek γίγας ‎(gígas, “giant”) (Latin gigas ‎(“giant”)), from the Homeric mythology (the giants of the Acroceraunian mountains), probably denoting originally war-like invading tribes descending in Greece from the north^[1].