'clementine' originates from French, specifically the word 'clémentine', named after Father Clément Rodier, who is believed to have discovered the fruit.

'clémentine' was adopted into English from the French word 'clémentine', and eventually became the modern English word 'clementine'.

Initially, it referred to a specific type of mandarin orange, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.