'Amida' originates from Japanese, specifically the word '阿弥陀 (Amida)', which is derived from Sanskrit 'Amitābha', where 'amita' meant 'infinite' and 'ābha' meant 'light'.

'Amitābha' in Sanskrit was adopted into Chinese as '阿弥陀 (Āmítuó)', and then into Japanese as '阿弥陀 (Amida)', eventually becoming the English 'Amida' when referring to the Buddha in English texts.

Initially, it referred to the Buddha of Infinite Light in Buddhist texts, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.