Belly dance is a Western name coined for a style of dance developed in the Middle East and other Arabic-influenced areas. In Arabic language it is known as Raqs Shaqi or in Turkish as Oryantal dansı, translated as "Dance of the East". For Europeans, this translation sounded perfectly fit, hence it was also known as "Oriental dance", "Exotic oriental dance", "Oriental belly dance" and the likes. The term "Raqs Sharqi" is claimed to be originated in Egypt. The name suggested an exotic dance originated elsewhere - and so a higher status than the local dance.

It is thought that the dance has been known through the oral tradition in Egypt since the pre-Islamic times. There have been many theories about the origin of belly dancing, but most evidence links it to the Middle East and Africa. Some say it was originated by the Phoenicians; others claim that it was introduced into Egypt by the Ottoman Turks. Egyptian tomb paintings dating from as far back as the fourteenth century BC depict partially clad dancers whose callisthenic positions appear to be very similar to those used in belly dancing.

Modern feminist revisionists like to say it became famous in Ottoman times when the dance was a frequent pastime for the women of the harem for each other. In fact both men and women danced - but in separate spaces. A "good" woman would not be seen dancing by any but her husband. This extended to separating the male musicians from female dancers.

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