How did the Guillotine get its name?

Interestingly, the device was known as a louisette for some time, because its prototype was invented by Antoine Louis. It got its common name in the latter half of the 18 ^th century when Dr. Guillotin recommended using it as the main device to carry out death penalties. He believed that it was a less painful method of execution in comparison with some other methods (such as Breaking wheel). For sure, he didn't invent the device but he was the one to make it "popular".

By the way, the association with the guillotine so embarrassed Dr. Guillotin's family that they petitioned the French government to rename it; when the government refused, they instead changed their own family name.

By coincidence, a person named Guillotin was executed by the guillotine – he was J.M.V. Guillotin, a doctor of Lyons. This coincidence may have contributed to erroneous statements that Guillotin was put to death on the machine that bears his name; however, in reality, Guillotin died in Paris in 1814 of natural causes, and is now buried in the Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.