In this diachronic study we first investigate the changes that occurred throughout the history to the verb to resound and its derivatives, in particular the term resonance, and then the evolution of the scientific concept of resonance in physics of the waves. We wonder if the terminology always indicates and expresses the physical phenomenon whose significance was broadened, generalized, modified, and became more complex. For this purpose, we use various dictionaries and historical handbooks of physics. The term of resonance, first expressing a natural phenomenon felt particularly by hearing, was initially limited to the field of acoustics, of which it keeps the mark until now. It was extended thereafter to several types of waves and to various dimensions of natural things, from elementary particles of matter to planets in space. Moreover, it conveys the notions of chord and transfer of energy, which it didn’t initially. These new scientific realities make it ambiguous for traducing and more difficult to understand. Taking account of this main result, we propose a denomination that avoids confusion and is more adapted to the concept’s current scientific significance.