'azan' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'adhān' (أَذَان), where the root ʾ-dh-n conveyed the idea of a public announcement or call.

'azan' entered English via contact with Arabic and Ottoman Turkish religious usage (also appearing as 'adhan' or 'athan' in English sources), and the plural form 'azans' follows regular English pluralization.

Initially it referred in Arabic to the ritual call announcing prayer times; this core meaning has been retained in English as 'azan'/'azans'.