'wattage' originates from English, specifically formed from the unit name 'watt' plus the suffix '-age', where 'watt' refers to the unit named after engineer James Watt and '-age' forms a noun indicating an amount or related concept.

'wattage' developed as a coined noun after the adoption of the unit name 'watt' in the 19th century (the unit itself commemorating James Watt), combining that name with the productive suffix '-age' to mean 'amount in watts'.

Initially it meant simply 'an amount expressed in watts'; over time it also came to be used for a device's rated power (watt rating) and figuratively for a level of impact or prominence ('wattage' as influence).