'alabastos' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ἀλάβαστος', where 'ἀ-' meant 'not' and 'λάβαστος' referred to a type of stone.

'ἀλάβαστος' transformed into the Latin word 'alabaster,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alabaster' through Old French.

Initially, it referred to a type of stone, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a vessel made from that stone.