1650s, "a crown," from Latin corona "a crown, a garland," in ancient Rome especially "a crown or garland bestowed for distinguished military service," from suffixed form of PIE root *sker- (2) "to turn, bend."

With many extended senses in botany, anatomy, etc. The two "crown" constellations, Corona Borealis (according to fable, the crown of Ariadne) and Corona Australis, are both Ptolemaic. Astronomical sense of "luminous circle observed around the sun during total eclipses" is from 1809. As a brand of Cuban cigar, 1876. The brand of Mexican pale lager beer dates from 1925.