'auklet' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'auk' with the diminutive suffix '-let' (the suffix '-let' ultimately from Old French diminutive formation).

'auk' came into English from Old Norse 'alka' (also attested in Middle English as 'auk'), and the modern word 'auklet' developed by adding the diminutive suffix '-let' to create 'auklet'.

Originally the root 'auk' referred to the seabird 'auk'; over time 'auklet' came to mean a 'small auk' or small species of auk, the modern sense used today.