The GNU compiler toolset has a profiler "gprof" for performance analysis of C++ programs. With the -pg switch, the gcc compiler will make executables that write a data file, "gmon.out", on each run. This can then be fed into the gprof tool for analysis. (A prior question asks about that process, here.)
Usually I can decode the abbreviation or acronym to which these command-line tools refer. For example, "gprof" apparently stands for the "GNU profiler". However, I'm coming up empty for an explanation on what the token "gmon" means.
What's the origin/etymology of the abbreviation or acronym to which "gmon.out" refers?
The name "gmon" likely refers to the GNU Monitoring tool.
For example, a page at the U. South Carolina site describing its use is titled:
GPROF Monitoring Program Performance
And says it will:
... demonstrate the use of the GPROF performance monitoring tool.