'animator' originates from Latin, specifically the Late Latin word 'animator', where 'anima' meant 'breath, life' and the suffix '-ator' formed agent nouns ('one who does').

'animator' changed from the Late Latin word 'animator' (used to mean 'one who gives life/breath') and was borrowed into English (via scholarly/technical Latin and possibly French influence) to become the modern English 'animator'.

Initially, it meant 'one who gives breath or life'; over time it evolved to refer particularly to people who create animated images or, more broadly, anyone who enlivens or energizes something.