The Spanish word 'mechón' (meaning 'large lock of hair') comes from the Spanish word 'mecha' (meaning 'wick' or 'lock of hair') combined with the augmentative suffix '-ón'. The word 'mecha' itself was borrowed from the French word 'mèche', which meant 'wick' or 'fuse'. The meaning evolved from referring to a wick or string-like object to describing a lock or strand of hair, likely due to their similar appearance. The addition of the augmentative suffix '-ón' emphasizes that this refers to a larger or more substantial lock of hair.

A simpler related Spanish word is 'mecha', which can mean both 'wick' (as in a candle) and 'lock of hair'. This shows how the meaning shifted from a thin, string-like object (the wick) to describing a similar-looking feature of hair. 'Mechón' is simply a larger version of 'mecha' when referring to hair.

While there aren't any commonly used English words directly related to 'mechón', the French word 'mèche' (from which the Spanish words derive) has been borrowed into English in some technical contexts, particularly in hairdressing, where 'meche' can refer to a lock of hair being treated or colored.