'paronomasia' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'paronomazein,' where 'para-' meant 'beside' and 'onoma' meant 'name.'

'paronomazein' transformed into the Latin word 'paronomasia,' and eventually became the modern English word 'paronomasia.'

Initially, it meant 'to call with a slight change of name,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a play on words.'