'archprimate' originates from a combination of Greek and Latin elements: Greek 'arkh-' (ἀρχ-) meaning 'chief, principal' (rendered as the prefix 'arch-') and Latin 'primatus'/'primate' (from 'primus') meaning 'first' or 'principal (bishop)'.

'archprimate' developed as a compound of the prefix 'arch-' plus the ecclesiastical noun 'primate' (from Medieval/Latin usage). The parts 'arch-' (Greek) and 'primate' (Latin via Medieval Latin) were combined in English usage to form the compound term 'archprimate' in formal or ecclesiastical contexts.

Initially formed to denote the 'chief' or 'principal' primate (i.e., the highest-ranking bishop); the core meaning has remained largely stable, though the word is relatively rare and sometimes used figuratively.