'armband' originates from Germanic elements: 'arm' (Old English 'earm') meaning 'arm' and 'band' (Old English 'bænd', Old Norse 'band') meaning 'a strip or something that binds'.

'armband' appears in Middle English forms such as 'armband' or 'armbende' and developed into the modern English word 'armband' with little change in form.

Initially it literally meant 'a band for the arm', and over time this core meaning has remained largely unchanged, referring to bands worn on the arm for identification, mourning, decoration, or support.