'aristoi' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'ἄριστοι' (aristoi), plural of 'ἄριστος' ('aristos'), where 'aristos' meant 'best'.

'aristoi' was used in Ancient Greek to denote 'the best' people; the term entered scholarly usage via Classical and Medieval studies (and Latin scholarship) and was borrowed into English texts discussing ancient Greek society and political thought.

Initially it meant 'the best (people)'; over time, in English usage it has been used more narrowly to mean 'members of the aristocracy' or the social elite.