| 1 | French | caractère | character, demeanour, personality; character |
| 2 | Old French | caractere | mark; sign; indication |
| 3 | Latin | character | branding iron; brand; characteristic, mark,... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | χαρακτήρ | instrument used for engraving; person who... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | χαράσσω | to sharpen; to engrave, carve, write, draw, stamp |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵʰer- | to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines |