'elecampane' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'enula campana', where 'enula' meant 'inula' and 'campana' referred to 'of the fields'.

'enula campana' transformed into the Old French word 'olacampane', and eventually became the modern English word 'elecampane'.

Initially, it referred to the plant itself, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.