'aviarist' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the noun 'aviary' with the agent suffix '-ist'; 'aviary' ultimately comes from Latin 'aviarium', where 'avis' meant 'bird'.

'aviarium' (Latin) gave rise to Old French forms and then Middle English 'aviary'; the agentive formation 'aviarist' is a later Modern English coinage formed by adding '-ist' to 'aviary'.

Initially related to words meaning 'place for birds' (aviary), the later formation came to mean 'a person who keeps or breeds birds' (an individual who tends the aviary).