'archicantor' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'archicantor', where the prefix 'archi-' comes from Greek 'arkhi' meaning 'chief' and 'cantor' comes from Latin 'cantor' (from 'cantare') meaning 'singer'.

'archicantor' changed from the Medieval Latin term 'archicantor' used in ecclesiastical contexts and was adopted into English usage through Late Latin/medieval church Latin and Middle English ecclesiastical vocabulary, becoming the modern English 'archicantor'.

Initially it meant 'chief singer' in an ecclesiastical context, and over time it has retained that core meaning as the principal singer or leader of a choir.