'minnow' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'mynega', where the root meant 'small fish'.

'minnow' changed from Old English 'mynega' to Middle English forms such as 'minnowe' and eventually became the modern English word 'minnow'.

Initially, it meant 'small (freshwater) fish', and over time this basic meaning has largely remained, though it has also acquired figurative senses ('small or unimportant person/organization').