'ataman' originates from Turkic languages (via forms such as 'ataman' or 'ataman/otaman'), where the element 'ata' meant 'father' or 'ancestor' and was used honorifically for leaders.

'ataman' passed into East Slavic (Ukrainian/Polish/Russian) as 'otaman' or 'ataman', used for Cossack leaders, and was later borrowed into English as 'ataman' (plural 'atamans').

Initially associated with the notion of 'father' or respected elder/leader, it developed the specific sense of a Cossack commander or regional military chief in later usage.