'juneberry' originates from English, specifically the compound 'June' + 'berry', where 'June' referred to the month (when the fruit commonly ripens) and 'berry' meant 'small round fruit'.

'juneberry' developed in North American English as a compound name (originally written as 'June berry' or 'June-berry') for the edible fruits of Amelanchier species; the phrase later became the single word 'juneberry'. It is used alongside other regional names such as 'serviceberry' and 'saskatoon'.

Initially, it meant simply 'a berry that ripens in June'; over time it came to be used more specifically for the fruits (and the plants that bear them) of Amelanchier species.