'appellativity' originates from Latin, specifically from the verb 'appellare' meaning 'to call, name', via Medieval/Modern formation from the adjective 'appellative' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ity'.

'appellativity' developed from English adjective 'appellative' (from Medieval Latin 'appellativus'), which in turn derives from Latin 'appellare' ('to call upon, name'); the modern noun formed by adding '-ity' to denote the state or quality.

Initially rooted in the Latin idea 'to call or name', the term came to denote the abstract quality of being an appellative; its meaning narrowed from the action of naming to the property of being nameable or used as a name.