'Baganda' originates from the Luganda language, specifically the word 'Baganda', where the prefix 'ba-' is a plural prefix used for people and 'Ganda' is the name of the ethnic group.

'Baganda' is formed from the singular 'Muganda' (Luganda), itself composed of the singular prefix 'mu-' (person) + 'Ganda'; these come from Proto-Bantu noun-class prefix patterns that mark singular and plural for people.

Initially, it meant 'people of Ganda' (i.e., members of the Ganda group), and this core meaning has been retained; it is now used both for the ethnic group and collectively for inhabitants of the Buganda region.