'ignominy' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ignominia', where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'nomen' meant 'name'.

'ignominia' passed into Old French as 'ignominie', then into Middle English (forms like 'ignomy') and eventually became the modern English word 'ignominy'.

Initially it meant 'loss of a good name' or 'lack of name' (i.e., disgrace); over time this developed into the current sense of 'shame or public disgrace'.