'essentialism' originates from the Latin word 'essentia,' meaning 'being' or 'essence,' combined with the suffix '-ism' to denote a theory or belief.

'essentia' transformed into the French word 'essentiel,' and eventually became the modern English word 'essentialism' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'the essence or nature of something,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a philosophical theory about inherent attributes.'