'baldacchino' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'baldacchino', ultimately from Medieval Latin 'baldachinum' (referring to a type of rich cloth associated with Baghdad).

'baldacchino' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'baldachinum', which referred to luxurious brocaded cloth (associated with Baghdad), into the Italian 'baldacchino' and later was adopted into English as 'baldachin'/'baldacchino' with the meaning of a canopy.

Initially, it referred to a rich cloth produced or associated with Baghdad; over time it evolved to mean a canopy made from such cloth and then more generally a ceremonial canopy placed over altars or thrones.