'PABA-free' originates from English, specifically the initialism 'PABA' formed from the phrase 'para-aminobenzoic acid' combined with the adjective 'free', where 'para-' meant 'beside', 'amino' referred to the 'amine' functional group, and 'benzoic' related to 'benzoic acid'.

'PABA-free' changed from the fuller phrase 'free of PABA' (a descriptive phrase used in technical and ingredient lists) and eventually became the hyphenated compound adjective 'PABA-free' commonly used on product labels.

Initially, it meant 'not containing para-aminobenzoic acid' in technical or chemical contexts; over time the meaning has remained the same but usage broadened to consumer-facing labels and marketing.