'autograph' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'autographos', where 'auto-' meant 'self' and 'graphos' meant 'written'.

'autographos' transformed into the Latin word 'autographum', and eventually became the modern English word 'autograph' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'self-written', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a signature, especially that of a celebrity'.