The word "guitar" comes from the Spanish word guitarra. Before that, it likely came from the Latin word "cithara" an ancient Sanskrit "tar", which means string. The oldest guitar like instrument that is recorded comes from Ancient Egypt. You can see this guitar today at the Archaeological Museum, Cairo, Egypt. The Lute came into Europe between the 6th and the 9th century in many different forms throughout the European Middle Ages. Find out more "ducksters.com/musicforkids/guitar_history.php"