'Andromeda' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'Ἀνδρομέδα', where 'andr-' meant 'man' and 'med-' (from medomai/medē) conveyed the idea 'to rule' or 'be mindful'.

'Andromeda' passed into Latin as 'Andromeda' and entered Middle English (via Latin and Old French) to become the modern English proper name 'Andromeda'.

Initially it meant 'ruler of men' (the literal sense of the Greek name), but over time it became the proper name of a mythological princess and later the names of a constellation and a galaxy.