'novato' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'novatus', where 'nov-' meant 'new'.

'novato' changed from Medieval/ Late Latin word 'novatus' and passed into Romance languages (e.g., Old Spanish) before becoming the modern Spanish word 'novato'.

Initially it meant 'made new' or 'renewed' (from the sense of 'novatus'), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person who is new or inexperienced'.