'aspire' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aspirare,' where the prefix 'ad-' (assimilated to 'as-') meant 'to/toward' and 'spirare' meant 'to breathe'.

'aspire' changed from the Medieval/Old French word 'aspirer' and Middle English 'aspiren' and eventually became the modern English word 'aspire'.

Initially, it meant 'to breathe upon' or 'to blow (upon)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to desire or seek ambitiously'.