'asterisk' originates from Greek via Latin, specifically the Greek word 'asteriskos' (ἀστερίσκος), where 'aster-' meant 'star' and the diminutive suffix '-iskos' meant 'small' or 'little'.

'asterisk' passed into Late Latin as 'asteriscus', then into Old French as 'asterisque' and Middle English as 'asterisk', eventually becoming the modern English word 'asterisk'.

Initially it meant 'little star', and over time it came to refer specifically to the small star-shaped typographical mark '*' used in writing and printing.