Origin: 1640–50; <
Latin, plural of
insigne mark, badge, noun use of neuter of
insignis distinguished (by a mark);
see in-2, sign Usage note
Insignia, originally the plural of Latin insigne, began to be used as a singular in the 18th century, and the plural insignias appeared shortly thereafter. All uses—insignia as a singular or plural and insignias as a plural—are fully standard. The singular insigne still occurs, but insignia is more common.