'marionette' originates from French, specifically the word 'marionnette', where 'marion' was a diminutive form of 'Marie', referring to small figures of the Virgin Mary used in religious plays.

'marionnette' transformed into the English word 'marionette' during the 17th century, maintaining its original meaning.

Initially, it referred to small religious figures, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a string-operated puppet.