'appeal' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'appellare', where the element meant 'to call upon' or 'address'. 'appealingness' is formed in English by adding the adjective-forming suffix '-ing' to 'appeal' (giving 'appealing') and then the noun-forming suffix '-ness'.

'appellare' (Latin) passed into Old French as 'apeler'/'appeler', then into Middle English as 'appelen'/'apelen' and eventually became the modern English verb 'appeal'. From that verb the adjective 'appealing' developed, and the noun 'appealingness' was formed by adding '-ness'.

Initially, the root meant 'to call upon' or 'to address'; over time the sense shifted toward 'making a request' and then extended metaphorically to 'having attraction or charm', which is the basis for 'appealingness' meaning 'the quality of being attractive'.