'American-esque' originates from English, specifically the combination of the word 'American' (from 'America') and the suffix '-esque', where 'American' ultimately traces to the proper name 'Amerigo' and '-esque' comes from French '-esque' (from Italian '-esco') meaning 'in the style of'.

'American-esque' is a modern English coinage formed by attaching the French/Italian-derived suffix '-esque' to the adjective 'American'; 'American' itself comes from 'America', the continent named after the explorer 'Amerigo' (Vespucci).

Initially it meant 'in the style or manner of America,' and it has continued to be used with that general meaning, often as an informal or stylistic descriptor.