'Calvinist' originates from French (the surname) 'Calvin', ultimately from the Latinized form 'Calvinus', where the root 'calv-' comes from Latin 'calvus' meaning 'bald'.

'Calvinist' developed from the name of the reformer John Calvin (Latinized 'Calvinus'); the agentive suffix '-ist' was added in English to form 'Calvinist' meaning an adherent of Calvin, and the plural became 'Calvinists'.

Initially it designated a follower of John Calvin specifically; over time it has come to mean broadly an adherent of the theological system known as 'Calvinism' (i.e., those who accept Calvinist doctrines).