'NASA' originates from English, specifically the name 'National Aeronautics and Space Administration', formed as an initialism from the initial letters 'N', 'A', 'S', 'A'.

'NASA' was created in 1958 and replaced the earlier organization 'NACA' ('National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics'); the abbreviation 'NASA' became the established name for the new agency.

Initially it referred specifically to the newly formed U.S. civilian space agency in 1958; over time it has remained the proper name for that agency while also being used metonymically for its programs and activities.