'anchor' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'æncor' or 'ancor', which came via Old Norse and Old French from Late Latin 'ancora'.

'anchor' traces back through Late Latin 'ancora' to Greek 'ankura' (ἄγκυρα), meaning 'hook' or 'crook'; the word passed into Old English (as 'æncor'/'ancor') and evolved into modern English 'anchor'.

Initially it meant 'hook' or 'crook' (a bent implement), and over time it came to mean the heavy hooked weight used to secure ships; the central idea of 'holding or fastening' has remained.