'Arizonian' originates from the English place-name 'Arizona' combined with the suffix '-ian' (from Latin '-ianus'), where '-ian' meant 'belonging to or connected with'.

'Arizonian' was formed in Modern English by adding the suffix '-ian' to the place-name 'Arizona'. The place-name 'Arizona' entered English from Spanish 'Arizona', which itself is likely ultimately derived from the O'odham phrase 'alĭ sonak' (or similar) meaning 'small spring'. The suffix '-ian' comes via Latin '-ianus' (through Old French) and was used in English to form adjectives and demonyms.

Initially it meant 'of or relating to Arizona' (and by extension 'a person from Arizona'); over time the word has retained this meaning as both an adjective and a demonym for inhabitants of Arizona.