'circlet' originates from Middle English, ultimately from Old French 'cerclet' (a diminutive of 'cercle'), and from Latin 'circulus', where the root 'circ-' (from Latin 'circus') meant 'ring' and the diminutive suffix '-let' meant 'small'.

'circlet' changed from Old French 'cerclet' into Middle English forms (e.g., 'cirlet'/'circlet') and eventually became the modern English word 'circlet'.

Initially it meant 'small ring', but over time it evolved to mean specifically 'a small ornamental ring or headband (a small crown)'.