'aqualunger' originates from English, formed by adding the agentive suffix '-er' to the compound noun 'aqualung' (itself composed of Latin 'aqua' meaning 'water' + English 'lung').

'aqualung' appeared in English in the 20th century as a compound of 'aqua' + 'lung' referring to a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus; later, the regular English derivational suffix '-er' was added to produce 'aqualunger' meaning 'one who uses an aqualung'.

Initially, 'aqualung' referred to the breathing apparatus; by derivation, 'aqualunger' came to mean the user of that apparatus (a diver), and this usage has been retained when the term is used.