'antebaptismal' originates from Latin and Greek elements: Latin prefix 'ante-' (meaning 'before') combined with Greek 'baptisma' (from 'baptizein', meaning 'a dipping' or 'baptism').

'antebaptismal' was formed in English from ecclesiastical/Medieval Latin usage (e.g. Late Latin/Medieval Latin forms such as 'antebaptismus' or usage of 'ante-' + 'baptismus'), which described practices or states before baptism; English later produced the adjective 'antebaptismal'.

Initially it referred specifically to rites or conditions immediately preceding baptism in church usage; over time it retained that core sense but has been used more generally for anything occurring before baptism.