'antelope' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'antalōpa', from Greek 'anthólops' (ἀνθόλοψ), of uncertain origin.

'antelope' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'antalōpa' to Old French 'antelop(e)' and eventually became the modern English word 'antelope' through Middle English.

Initially it referred to a horned or possibly mythical animal in ancient sources; over time it came to denote the real deerlike ruminant mammals known today as antelopes.