An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Wahl

by Friedrich Kluge

Wahl, feminine, ‘choice, election,’ from the equivalent Middle High German wal, Old High German wala, feminine; to this is allied Modern High German wählen, ‘to choose,’ from the equivalent Middle High German węln, węllen, Old High German węllen (from *waljan), weak verb. Compare Old Icelandic val, neuter, ‘choice,’ with velja, ‘to select.’ Allied to the Aryan root wel, ‘to wish,’ appearing in wollen.