'astrachan' originates from Russian, specifically the place name 'Астрахань' ('Astrakhan'), where the fur was produced and traded.

'astrachan' entered English via French and English variant spellings such as 'astrakhan' and 'astracan' in the 18th–19th century; the place name was applied to the characteristic curled pelts.

Initially, it meant 'of or from Astrakhan' (the place), but over time the term came to refer specifically to the curled karakul fur and items made from it.