Breads shaped like crescents have been around since the Medieval times. Before the croissant, there was a version of the croissant called a "feteer meshaltet". It came from Egypt. Many years later, a crescent-shaped version of feteer meshaltet was made. It was called "feteer halali" (crescent feteer). The feteer halali became popular throughout Europe, especially France. Later, feteer halali became known as a croissant. 