'palladium' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'Pallas,' referring to the goddess Athena, where 'Pallas' was a title of Athena.

'Pallas' transformed into the Latin word 'palladium,' and eventually became the modern English word 'palladium.'

Initially, it referred to a statue of Athena believed to protect Troy, but over time it evolved into its current meanings of a chemical element and a safeguard.