'alabastron' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ἀλάβαστρον' (alabastron), where 'ἀλάβαστρος' (alabastros) referred to a type of stone used for making vases.

'ἀλάβαστρον' (alabastron) was adopted into Latin as 'alabastrum,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alabastron.'

Initially, it referred to a type of stone vase, but over time it evolved to mean any small vase or bottle used for holding perfumes.