'viper' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'vipera', where 'vivus' meant 'alive' and 'parere' meant 'to bear'.

'vipera' transformed into the Old French word 'vipere', and eventually became the modern English word 'viper'.

Initially, it meant 'a live-bearing snake', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a venomous snake'.