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

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

Initially, it referred to the resin from the plant near the temple of Ammon, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.