'Romanize' originates from English, composed of 'Roman' + the verb-forming suffix '-ize', where 'Roman' meant 'of Rome' and '-ize' meant 'to make or to become'.

'Roman' comes from Latin 'Romanus' meaning 'Roman, of Rome'; the suffix '-ize' derives from Greek '-izein' via Latin/French verb-formation patterns. The modern English verb 'Romanize' was formed by attaching '-ize' to 'Roman' to mean 'make Roman' or 'render in Roman (Latin) letters.'

Initially it meant 'to make Roman' in the sense of adopting Roman ways or status; over time, especially in linguistic and technical contexts, it came to be used predominantly for 'to render in the Latin alphabet' (romanize a script).