'bacharach' originates from German, specifically the place-name 'Bacharach', where 'bach' meant 'stream' and the element 'aha'/'ach' meant 'water' or 'river'.

'bacharach' changed from Middle High German place-name forms (related to elements like 'bach' + 'aha') and ultimately became the modern German place-name 'Bacharach', which later also became used as a family name.

Initially, it meant 'place by the stream' (a geographic description), but over time it came to be used chiefly as a place-name and as a surname.