'alkermes' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'al-qirmiz', where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'qirmiz' referred to the kermes insect.

'al-qirmiz' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'alkermes', and eventually became the modern English word 'alkermes'.

Initially, it referred to the kermes insect itself, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a dye derived from the insect.