'bakshi' originates from Persian, specifically the word 'bakhshī', where the root 'bakhsh-' meant 'to give' or 'to bestow'.

'bakhshī' entered South Asian languages (e.g. Hindi, Urdu) and also appears in various Turkic and Persianate contexts as a title or occupational name; it subsequently produced the English-form 'bakshi' (and plural 'bakshis') in texts referring to the historical office or persons.

Initially, it meant 'one who gives or distributes' (i.e. a distributor or giver of pay); over time it became used specifically for an official paymaster or as a title/surname in South Asia.