'aureole' originates from French, specifically the word 'auréole', which comes from Late Latin 'aureola', a diminutive of Latin 'aureus' where 'aur-' meant 'gold'.

'aureole' changed from the Late Latin word 'aureola' and the Old French 'auréole' and eventually became the modern English word 'aureole' through Middle English usage.

Initially, it meant 'little golden (thing)' (a diminutive of 'golden'), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a halo or ring of light' and was extended metaphorically to similar surrounding zones (e.g., geological aureoles).