'existential' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'existentia,' where 'ex-' meant 'out of' and 'sistere' meant 'to stand.'

'existentia' transformed into the French word 'existence,' and eventually became the modern English word 'existential' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to existence,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to existentialism or human existence.'