'atingle' originates from English, built from the prefix 'a-' (from Old English 'on'/'in', meaning 'on' or 'in') combined with 'tingle' (from Middle English 'tingelen', of imitative origin meaning 'to prickle').

'atingle' derived from Middle English forms such as 'a-tingelen' and later simplified in Early Modern English to the modern spelling 'atingle'.

Initially it meant 'in a state of pricking or slight stinging'; over time it retained that physical sense and also developed a figurative sense of being 'excited' or 'thrilled'.