The history of the term “Darwinism” is complex and multifaceted. It is a history that, in a sense, predates Charles Darwin’s publication of the Origin of Species in November 1859, as the term was initially used to denote the work of Erasmus Darwin, carrying negative connotations associated with early transformist theories. This chapter traces the evolution of the term, focusing on its meaning-shifts, reception, and uses in the years following the publication of On the Origin of Species. Between the 1860s and the 1870s, scholars discussed the true scope of Darwin’s contributions and their position within the broader history of evolutionary thought. Notably, “Darwinism” quickly became a catch-all term for species transformation, consolidating debates around evolutionary theory and its broader implications.