'commons' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'communis', where 'com-/con-' meant 'together' and the root meant 'shared' or 'common'.

'commons' changed through Old French ('comun' / 'commun') and Middle English (forms like 'commune' and 'commons') and eventually became the modern English plural noun 'commons'.

Initially it meant 'things held in common' or 'shared (things)', and over time it retained the core idea but expanded to include formal institutions (e.g., 'the Commons') and abstract shared resources ('the commons').