'carnation' originates from Latin, specifically the Late Latin word 'carnationem' (from 'carnatio'), where the root 'caro, carnis' meant 'flesh'.

'carnation' changed from Late Latin 'carnationem' into Middle French and Middle English forms (influenced by Old French), and eventually became the modern English word 'carnation'.

Initially it meant 'flesh color' (that is, the color of flesh); over time the term came to be applied to the flower that often had that pale pink color and then to the color named after the flower.