'identify' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'identificare', where 'ident-' meant 'same' and '-ficare' meant 'to make'.

'identificare' transformed into the French word 'identifier', and eventually became the modern English word 'identify' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to make the same', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to recognize or establish as being a particular person or thing'.