'anonym' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anōnumos', where the prefix 'a-' meant 'not' and 'onym-' (from 'onuma/ōnym-') meant 'name'.

'anonym' passed into Medieval and Late Latin as 'anonymus' and entered English usage as a noun meaning an anonymous person or anonymous work, deriving ultimately from Greek 'anōnumos'.

Initially it meant 'without a name', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an anonymous person or anonymous work (anonym)'.