Old English hopian "wish, expect, look forward (to something)," of unknown origin, a general North Sea Germanic word (cognates: Old Frisian hopia, Middle Low German, Middle Dutch, Dutch hopen; Middle High German hoffen "to hope," borrowed from Low German). Some suggest a connection with hop, v. on the notion of "leaping in expectation" [Klein]. Related: Hoped; hoping.

Old English hopa, from hope, v.. Compare Old Frisian and Middle Dutch hope, Dutch hoop, all from their respective verbs.