'comma' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'κόμμα' (transliterated 'komma'), where 'κόμμα' meant 'a piece cut off' or 'short clause'.

'comma' changed from the Late Latin word 'comma' (borrowed from Greek 'κόμμα') into Middle English 'comma' and eventually became the modern English word 'comma'.

Initially, it meant 'a short piece or clause (a cut-off segment of a sentence)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the punctuation mark used to indicate short pauses and separations in text'.