'almoravides' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'al-Murābiṭūn', where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'Murābiṭūn' referred to 'those who are bound together in a religious retreat'.

'al-Murābiṭūn' transformed into the Spanish word 'almorávides', and eventually became the modern English word 'almoravides'.

Initially, it referred to a religious group, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a dynasty name.