'areito' originates from the Taíno (an Arawakan language), specifically the word 'areyto', where 'areyto' meant 'ceremonial song or dance'.

'areito' changed from the Taíno word 'areyto' and was adopted into Spanish as 'areito' during early colonial contact; it later entered English as a borrowed term used in historical and anthropological contexts.

Initially, it meant 'communal ceremonial song or dance', and over time it has retained that sense but in English is usually used specifically to refer to Taíno rituals in historical or anthropological descriptions.