'iota' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ἰῶτα', where 'iota' referred to the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet.

'ἰῶτα' was adopted into Latin as 'iota', and eventually became the modern English word 'iota'.

Initially, it meant 'the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a very small amount'.