'alkapton' originates from the combination of 'alkali' and 'kapton', where 'alkali' refers to a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, and 'kapton' is derived from the Greek word 'kapnos', meaning 'smoke'.

'alkapton' was coined in the late 19th century to describe the compound found in the urine of patients with alkaptonuria.

Initially, it referred specifically to the compound found in urine, and this meaning has remained consistent.