'betony' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'betonica', where the word was the Latin name for the plant (root uncertain, possibly of Celtic origin meaning 'herb' or 'plant').

'betony' changed from Medieval Latin 'betonica' and Old French 'betonie' into Middle English 'betonie' and eventually became the modern English word 'betony'.

Initially, it meant 'the medicinal plant called betonica', and over time it has remained largely the same in referring to that plant and related species.