'algol' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'al-ghūl,' where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'ghūl' meant 'demon' or 'ghoul.'

'al-ghūl' transformed into the Latin word 'Algol,' and eventually became the modern English word 'algol.'

Initially, it meant 'demon star,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a variable star and a programming language.