Question

the earliest refereance ok the word haryana is found in

Answer 1

The earliest reference of the word Haryana is found in 12th century, AD.

The word Haryana has its reference in the works of Apabhramsa, and was used by the writer Vibudh Shridhar. Apabhramsa is a source of literature which contains various languages used  in the northern India, during the 12th to 16th century. The word Haryana, is derived from the Sanskrit words,  'hari' denoting Vishnu(the Hindu God) and ayana denoting home. That is "Home of God".

Answer 2

If we go through the literary works of the 12th-century writer Vibudh Sridhar who was an Apabhramgsha writer, we get the name of Haryana.

Hari is the name of Hindu God Vishnu and Ayana is known as home in Sanskrit.

So Haryana means the home of Lord Vishnu or the abode of God.