'Moroccan' originates from English, specifically the word 'Morocco', which entered English via Spanish 'Marruecos' and Portuguese 'Marrocos', ultimately derived from the place-name 'Marrakesh'.

'Moroccan' developed from the English place-name 'Morocco', which came from Spanish and Portuguese forms (Marruecos, Marrocos) that referred to the region and the city 'Marrakesh'; the adjective and noun form 'Moroccan' was formed in English from that place-name.

Initially, related specifically to the place-name for the city or country (Marrakesh/Morocco); over time it came to mean more generally 'of or from Morocco' and to denote a person from Morocco.