The name 'Queen' originates from an old nickname derived from the English word 'queen', which itself comes from the Old English 'cwen', meaning 'woman' or 'wife'. Over time, the term evolved to specifically denote a female monarch or the wife of a king. In modern usage, 'Queen' is also associated with various cultural, historical, and artistic references, including the British rock band 'Queen' and the title of a female ruler in a monarchy.