According to the book u003ca href=u0022https://www.amrevmuseum.org/read-the-revolution/american-cookie-2u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eAmerican Cookie by Anne Byrnu003c/au003e, gingersnaps likely get their name from the German or Middle Dutch word u003cemu003esnappenu003c/emu003e, which means u0022to seize quickly.” The first mention of them dates back to the early 1800s. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe name has also come to refer to the ginger flavor. It also references the “snap” sound they make when you break or bite into them.