Breaking the word down, “poly” comes from the Greek word for “many,” and “theism” from the Greek word for “God.” Polytheism has perhaps been the dominant theistic view in human history.
Kuvunja neno zaidii, "ya aina nyingi" linatokana na neno la Kigiriki kwa "wengi," na "theism" na neno la Kigiriki kwa "Mungu." Ushirikina labda umekuwa mtazamo mkubwa wa imani ya kuwa na Mungu mmoja umenea katika historia ya binadamu.