'preexistence' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praeexistentia,' where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'existentia' meant 'existence.'

'praeexistentia' transformed into the French word 'préexistence,' and eventually became the modern English word 'preexistence' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'existence before a particular event,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.