'balalaika' originates from Russian, specifically the word 'балалайка', where the precise internal elements are uncertain but some scholars link 'bala' to Turkic roots meaning 'child' and the ending to a diminutive or instrument-forming element.

'balalaika' changed from the Russian word 'балалайка' and was borrowed into English in the 19th century as 'balalaika' (and then pluralized in English as 'balalaikas').

Initially, it referred to the traditional Russian folk instrument; over time the meaning has remained largely the same as the name of that instrument in English.