'argos' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'Ἄργος' (Árgos), where the root 'ἀργ-' (arg-) has been associated in ancient sources with brightness or whiteness (and in some contexts with swiftness).

'Argos' passed into Latin and Medieval Latin as 'Argos' (the place name was cited in classical texts), and the form was adopted into English unchanged as a proper name referring to the Greek city and related mythological figures.

Initially it referred specifically to the city named Ἄργος; over time the name was also used for mythological characters bearing the same name and, much later, for modern commercial uses (e.g., the retailer Argos).