Employing the methodology of conceptual history, this paper delves into the formation, evolution, and dissemination of the term "Dang'an"("Archives"), uncovering the intricate interplay between conceptual development, historical contexts, institutional shifts, and theoretical advancements. Based on newly discovered historical materials, the specific time of the emergence of the term "Dang'an" could be advanced to Han Shiqi's Fuwu Shucao, which was written in the fifth year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty and the writer served as the Qixin Lang at that time. The term's emergence is closely related to the special cultural policies, military environment, and political background since the late Ming and HouJin dynasties. Subsequently, the evolution of "Dang'an"in the Qing Dynasty further consolidated its core position as a documental noun, and "Dang'an"and its predecessor "Dang zi" could not be simply translated. During the Republic of China period, "Dang'an"had transformed into a universally recognized documental term, permeating society and reaching unprecedented levels of public awareness. Throughout this protracted historical trajectory, "Archives"emerged as a specialized vocabulary, its semantic contours gradually stabilizing through public dissemination, ultimately endowing it with enduring vitality.