'narcissism' originates from the German word 'Narzissismus', which was derived from the Greek myth of 'Narcissus', a young man who fell in love with his own reflection.

'Narzissismus' was adopted into English as 'narcissism' in the early 20th century.

Initially, it referred to the mythological story of Narcissus, but over time it evolved into a psychological term describing self-obsession.