What Does “Pomidor” Mean?

The word pomidor entered the Ukrainian language from Italian.
It originates from the phrase pomo d’oro, which literally means “golden apple”.

When Spanish conquistadors brought tomatoes from South America to Europe in the 16th century, they were much smaller than modern varieties and often yellow or orange in colour.

In 1544, the Italian botanist Pietro Andrea Mattioli described the plant and named it pomo d’oro — the name stuck, as the bright yellow fruits resembled small golden apples.

In other European languages, such as French, English, and German, the word tomato (or tomate) is used instead.
This term comes from the Aztec word tomatl, meaning “swollen fruit” or “round fruit.”

Thus, both names — pomidor and tomato — have deep historical roots, each originating from different cultures and linguistic traditions.