'alphonist' originates from the Greek word 'alphabētikos,' where 'alpha' referred to the first letter of the Greek alphabet and '-ist' denoted a person skilled in a particular field.

'alphabētikos' transformed into the medieval Latin word 'alphabeticus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alphonist' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a person skilled in alphabets,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.