'Alkaid' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'القائد' (al-qā'id), where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'qā'id' meant 'leader'.

'القائد' transformed into the Latinized form 'Alkaid' and eventually became the modern English word 'Alkaid'.

Initially, it meant 'the leader', referring to its position in the constellation, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.