There isn't a "first name" for diabetes in the way a person has a first and last name. The term "diabetes" itself is a shortened version of the more complete name, diabetes mellitus. However, the word "diabetes" has a history dating back to ancient times, with its meaning evolving over centuries.
The History of the Term "Diabetes"
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Ancient Origins: The symptom of excessive urination (polyuria), a key characteristic of diabetes, was recognized in ancient civilizations, including among the ancient Egyptians. [See: How diabetes got its name - MSU Extension]
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Naming the Condition: The term "diabetes" was first coined by Aretaeus of Cappadocia (81-133 AD). [See: History of diabetes mellitus] It comes from the Greek word "diabainein," meaning "to pass through" referring to the frequent urination.
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Adding "Mellitus": Later, in 1675, Thomas Willis added the word "mellitus," meaning "honey-sweet," to describe the sweet taste of the urine in many individuals with diabetes. This distinguishes diabetes mellitus from diabetes insipidus, another, rarer condition that also features increased thirst and urination. [See: History of diabetes - Wikipedia; History of Diabetes]
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Diabetes Mellitus vs. Diabetes Insipidus: While both share the name "diabetes" due to the common symptom of increased urination and thirst, they are distinct medical conditions. [See: The technical name for diabetes is diabetes mellitus]
Therefore, while there's no "first name," diabetes mellitus is the complete and technically correct term, with "diabetes" being a common abbreviation. Early accounts often referred to diabetes simply as "diabetes" because the term was already well-established long before the "mellitus" distinction was added. [See: History of diabetes - Wikipedia]
