Here's a breakdown:
* cred: This comes from the Latin word "credere" meaning "to believe" or "to trust". It's the root of many words related to belief and trust, like "credit" and "credible".
* entials: This is a suffix meaning "relating to" or "characterized by".
Therefore, "credentials" literally means "things relating to belief or trust", which makes sense considering its meaning as documents or qualifications that prove someone's trustworthiness or competence.