'austenite' originates from English, specifically from the name 'Roberts-Austen' (Sir William Chandler Roberts-Austen), where 'Austen' is the surname of the metallurgist and the suffix '-ite' comes from Greek/Latin usage meaning 'connected with' or 'of'.

'austenite' was coined in the late 19th century to name the high-temperature γ (gamma) phase observed and described in iron and steel, in honor of Roberts-Austen; the term entered metallurgical literature and became the standard name for the γ-phase.

Initially it referred to the phase of iron described in studies honoring Roberts-Austen; over time it became the general technical term for the face-centered cubic (gamma) phase of iron and steels.