orphan

An orphan is a child who has lost one or both parents and is not under their care. In standard usage, a child who has lost one parent is sometimes called a single orphan, while a child who has lost both parents is called a double orphan. The term can also apply in broader contexts where a parent is missing, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to provide care.

Etymology traces the word to Old French orfain or orfein, from Latin orphanus, and ultimately from Greek orphanos, meaning “without a guardian.” The modern English usage emerged in the medieval period and has since become common in legal, social, and humanitarian language.

Legal status and definitions vary by country. Many jurisdictions distinguish between guardianship and custody, and between temporary or permanent arrangements. In all cases, the welfare and best interests of the child guide decisions about care, guardianship, and placement. The term does not imply a specific outcome for the child, such as adoption or long-term foster care, but often involves systems of protection and support.

Care arrangements have shifted over time. Historically many orphans resided in orphanages; contemporary policy generally favors family-based options such as kinship care, foster care, or adoption when possible, with support services to maintain family ties and stability. International and non-governmental organizations use the term to describe children in need of protection or social support, particularly in areas affected by conflict, natural disasters, or epidemics.

See also: foster care, adoption, guardianship, orphanage, child welfare.