'chlorite' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'khlōros,' where 'khlōros' meant 'green.' The suffix '-ite' is commonly used for minerals.

'chlorite' changed from the French word 'chlorite,' which was derived from Greek 'khlōritēs' (meaning 'green stone'), and eventually became the modern English word 'chlorite.'

Initially, it meant 'a green mineral,' but over time it also came to refer to chemical compounds containing the chlorite ion.