'maid' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'mægden' (often written 'mǣgden' or 'mægden'), where the element 'mæg' related to 'relative' or 'kinsman' and the whole referred to a young woman or maiden.

'maid' changed from Old English 'mægden' to Middle English forms such as 'maiden'/'maide' and eventually became the modern English word 'maid'.

Initially it meant 'young woman' or 'maiden' (often emphasizing unmarried status); over time it also developed the additional common meaning of 'female domestic servant'.