'aspirin' originates from German, specifically the brand name 'Aspirin', where 'A-' was derived from 'acetyl' and 'spir' referred to 'Spiraea' (the plant meadowsweet), a source of salicylic acid.

'aspirin' changed from the German trademark 'Aspirin' (coined by Bayer in the late 19th century) and eventually became the modern English word 'aspirin' as the name entered common usage and, in many countries, became generic.

Initially, it meant the proprietary trade name for Bayer's acetylsalicylic acid product; over time it evolved to mean any preparation containing acetylsalicylic acid or a tablet of that substance.