'sphinx' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'Σφίγξ' (sphinx), where the root 'sphingein' meant 'to squeeze' or 'to bind'.

'sphinx' passed into Latin as 'sphinx', then into Old French and Middle English as 'sphinx', eventually becoming the modern English word 'sphinx'.

Initially, it referred specifically to the mythical creature (and its name in ancient Greek), but over time the term also came to denote sculpted representations of that creature and metaphorically an enigmatic or puzzling person or thing.