'ammoniac' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ammoniacum,' where 'ammoni-' referred to the Egyptian god Ammon, near whose temple the plant producing the resin was found.

'ammoniacum' transformed into the Old French word 'ammoniac,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ammoniac' through Middle English.

Initially, it referred to the gum resin, but over time it also came to refer to ammonia or ammonium compounds.