'archie' originates from English, specifically the name 'Archibald', where the Old Germanic elements 'erc/eric' (or similar) meant 'genuine/noble' and 'bald' meant 'bold'.

'archie' changed from the nickname or diminutive form 'Archie' of the personal name 'Archibald' and was adopted in early 20th-century British military slang (World War I) to refer to anti-aircraft guns and their fire, eventually becoming a common informal term for flak.

Initially it was used as a personal name, but over time it evolved in military slang to mean 'anti-aircraft fire' while still remaining in use as a given name.