'baccarat' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'baccarà' or 'baccara', where the root meant 'zero'.

'baccarat' changed from the Italian word 'baccara' (used for the early form of the game) into French as 'baccarat', and was later adopted into modern English as 'baccarat'.

Initially it referred to 'zero' (a term used for card values in the game) and to the Italian game itself; over time it evolved to mean the card game in general and, as a proper noun, the name of the French crystal manufacturer and its products.