Here's the breakdown:
* "Sexta" originally referred to the sixth hour after sunrise, which in ancient Rome was around noon.
* In Spain, the tradition of taking a midday nap evolved, and the term "siesta" became associated with this practice.
* The connection to the "sixth hour" likely stemmed from the midday heat in Spain, making it a good time to rest and avoid strenuous activity.
So, while "siesta" is now a noun referring to the nap itself, its origin lies in the Latin word for the sixth hour, reflecting the time of day when this tradition arose.