'babylonish' originates from English, specifically the word 'Babylon', where the name 'Babylon' ultimately comes from Akkadian 'Bāb-ilu' (also written 'Babilu'), in which 'bāb' meant 'gate' and 'ilu' meant 'god'.

'babylonish' developed from the English proper noun 'Babylon', which came into English via Latin and Greek ('Babylon' < Greek 'Babylṓn' < Akkadian 'Bāb-ilu'); the adjectival suffix '-ish' was later added in English to form 'babylonish'.

Initially, it meant 'of or relating to the city of Babylon'; over time it also acquired figurative senses meaning 'characteristic of Babylon' such as 'decadent, idolatrous, or chaotic'.