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Though this distinct facial hair style has existed for centuries—its earliest depiction found in a mosaic of Alexander the Great from around 100 BC—sideburns were named after a specific individual in the late 1800s.
That individual was Ambrose Burnside, a politician, businessman, and Union Army General. Burnside was known for his bold facial hair that connected his cheeks to his mustache, while keeping his chin neatly shaved. Here’s an image of his look:
Wikimedia Commons
Burnside gained fame not only as a General but later as a politician. His popularity, combined with his distinctive facial hair, helped spark a new trend in the 1870s and '80s. People referred to the style as "burnsides."
A few years later, the facial hair style along the sides of the cheeks, excluding the mustache, became known as 'sideburns.' The first recorded use of the term occurred in 1887. (In some areas, it was also referred to as "mutton chops.") This change reflected the fact that the whiskers were placed on the sides of the face, while still keeping the 'burns' to honor the original style.
Not long after 'sideburns' became popular, another term, 'sideboards,' emerged. It’s believed that 'boards' was a shortened form of 'border,' essentially meaning 'side-border,' which is a fitting description of the style.
Additional Sources: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology; Wikipedia.
