'Alfirk' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'الفرك' (al-firq), where 'الف' (al) meant 'the' and 'فرك' (firq) meant 'flock' or 'herd'.

'الفرك' (al-firq) was adopted into Latin as 'Alfirk' and eventually became the modern English name for the star.

Initially, it referred to a 'flock' or 'herd', but over time it evolved into its current meaning as the name of a star.