'aristocrat' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aristokratēs', where 'aristos' meant 'best' and 'kratos' meant 'power' or 'rule'.

'aristokratēs' passed into Latin and Late Latin as 'aristocrates', then into French as 'aristocrate', and finally entered English as 'aristocrat' (the plural 'aristocrats' follows regular English pluralization).

Initially it referred to 'rule by the best' or those exercising superior power; over time it came to denote 'a member of the noble or ruling class' and, by extension, people of high social rank.