Fame comes from Latin 'fāma' (talk, reputation), from 'fārī' (to speak), originally encompassing both rumor and renown.
The condition of being known or talked about by many people, especially on account of notable achievements; renown.
From Old French 'fame' (reputation, renown), from Latin 'fāma' (talk, rumor, report, reputation), from the verb 'fārī' (to speak), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- (to speak, to say). The PIE root *bʰeh₂- is one of the most productive in the language family, yielding words for speech, prophecy, and fame across dozens of branches. In Latin, 'fāma' carried both positive and negative force — it could mean mere gossip or glorious renown. The goddess Fāma personified rumor as an unstoppable, many-tongued