The origin of the name laksa is unclear. One theory[7] traces it back to Urdu/Persian lakhshah, referring to a type of vermicelli, which in turn may be derived from the Sanskrit lakshas (ایک لاکھ) meaning "one hundred thousand" (lakh).[8] It has also been suggested[9] that "laksa" may derive from the Chinese word 辣沙 (Cantonese: [làːt.sáː]), meaning "spicy sand" due to the ground dried prawns which gives a sandy or gritty texture to the sauce. The last theory[10] is that the name comes from the similar sounding word "dirty" in Hokkien due to its appearance.[citation needed]
Laksa is also known in Thailand as Lasae (Thai: ละแซ) or Laso (Thai: ละซอ)[4][11]