The term "inc" is commonly an abbreviation for "incorporated," which refers to a legal designation for a business that has been formed into a corporation. This means that the business is recognized as a separate legal entity from its owners, providing certain benefits such as limited liability protection for its shareholders. It often appears at the end of a company's name to signify its corporate status.
The word "incorporated" comes from the Latin word "incorporare," meaning "to form into a body" or "to embody." The prefix "in-" means "into," and "corporare" means "to form a body."