'alhena' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'الهنعة' (al-han'ah), where 'ال' (al) is the definite article and 'هنعة' (han'ah) meant 'a brand' or 'a mark.'

'الهنعة' (al-han'ah) was adopted into Latin as 'Alhena,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alhena.'

Initially, it referred to a 'brand' or 'mark' in Arabic, but over time it evolved into its current meaning as a star name.