'N-phenylacetamide' originates from the combination of 'phenyl' and 'acetamide', where 'phenyl' refers to a benzene ring and 'acetamide' is derived from acetic acid and amide.

'N-phenylacetamide' was synthesized as a derivative of acetanilide, which was used historically as a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Initially, it was used primarily in chemical synthesis, but over time it has found applications in pharmaceutical production.