'universalist' originates from the Latin word 'universalis,' where 'uni-' meant 'one' and 'versus' meant 'turned.'

'universalis' transformed into the French word 'universel,' and eventually became the modern English word 'universalist' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to the whole,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person who believes in universalism.'