'armlet' originates from English, formed from the word 'arm' + the diminutive suffix '-let'.

The diminutive suffix '-let' entered English via Old French '-let' (a diminutive form), ultimately tracing back to Latin diminutive formation such as '-ulus'.

Initially it implied a 'small arm-related item' (a small band for the arm), but over time it came to mean specifically an ornamental band worn on the upper arm.