'porcelain' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'porcellana,' where 'porcella' meant 'little pig' due to the resemblance of the surface to a pig's back.

'porcellana' transformed into the French word 'porcelaine,' and eventually became the modern English word 'porcelain' through Middle English.

Initially, it referred to a type of shell, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a type of ceramic.