'alem' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'عَلَم', where 'عَلَم' meant 'flag' or 'banner'.

'عَلَم' transformed into the Turkish word 'alem', and eventually became known in English as 'alem' through cultural exchanges.

Initially, it meant 'flag' or 'banner', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a traditional headdress.