'ammonia' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ammoniacus', where 'ammon' referred to the Egyptian god Amun, as the substance was first obtained near the temple of Amun.

'ammoniacus' transformed into the French word 'ammoniaque', and eventually became the modern English word 'ammonia' through Middle English.

Initially, it referred to a type of salt, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a gaseous compound.