'algenib' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'الجنب' (al-janb), where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'janb' meant 'side' or 'flank'.

'الجنب' (al-janb) was adopted into Latin as 'Algenib', and eventually became the modern English word 'algenib'.

Initially, it referred to the 'side' or 'flank' of Pegasus, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.