'areolet' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'area' meaning 'open space', formed in English by combination of the diminutive 'areole' (from Latin 'areola') with the diminutive suffix '-let'.

'areolet' evolved from Latin 'area' to Late Latin 'areola' (a small area), entered Old French/Medieval Latin as forms like 'areole'/'areola', and in English took the diminutive ending '-let' to give the modern form 'areolet'.

Initially related simply to a small 'area' or 'space', the term came to denote specific small structures or cells (e.g., plant areoles or insect wing cells) and is now used in specialized botanical and entomological contexts.