What does the word "croissant" mean in French?

The French word “croissant” means “crescent,” referring to the pastry’s curved, moon-like shape. In French, croissant is related to the verb croître, meaning “to grow,” and the noun can describe a crescent-shaped form or the crescent Moon.

The pastry’s name reflects its appearance rather than a filling, ingredient, or preparation method. That is why “crescent roll” is not the best answer: it is an English name for a different kind of bread or pastry, while croissant is the French term itself. “Horn” is closer to the shape of the Austrian kipferl, one of the croissant’s historical relatives.

Crescent-shaped breads and pastries existed in Europe before the modern French croissant. The Austrian kipferl is especially important to the story. Austrian baking traditions were introduced to Paris in the nineteenth century, where French bakers developed the laminated, yeast-leavened dough associated with croissants today.

The modern pastry therefore combines an older crescent shape with later French baking techniques. Its name stayed focused on the silhouette, which remains one of the easiest ways to recognize it.