'allograph' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'allographos,' where 'allo-' meant 'other' and 'graphos' meant 'writing.'

'allographos' transformed into the French word 'allographe,' and eventually became the modern English word 'allograph' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'other writing,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'variant form of a letter.'