'awake' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'awācian' (also attested as 'awæcnan'), where the root 'wak-' meant 'wake, be awake'.

'awake' changed from Old English 'awācian/awæcnan' into Middle English forms such as 'awake' and eventually became the modern English word 'awake'; participial and gerund forms yielded words like 'awaking'.

Initially it meant 'to wake up' or 'to become awake'; over time the core meaning has largely been retained, though related senses (e.g. being alert or aware) have developed in some contexts.