'taxon' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'taxon', ultimately from Greek 'taxis' (τάξις), where 'taxis' meant 'arrangement' or 'order'.

'taxon' developed from the Greek word 'taxis' meaning 'arrangement' into New Latin 'taxon' and was adopted into modern English usage as the technical term 'taxon' (used in taxonomy).

Initially related to the idea of 'arrangement' or 'order', it evolved into the modern specialized meaning 'a unit or group in biological classification'.