* Origin of the name: The instrument was invented by Adolphe Sax in 1846. He named it after himself, combining his surname "Sax" with the Greek word "phone" meaning "sound" or "voice."
* French adoption: The French, being the inventors' countrymen, readily adopted the name "saxophone."
* English adoption: English, being heavily influenced by French language and culture, quickly adopted the name "saxophone" as well. This occurred in the mid-19th century, shortly after the instrument's invention.
So, the word "saxophone" didn't undergo any significant transformation in its journey from French to English. It was simply a straightforward adoption of a name already established in the French language.