'baldachin' originates from Medieval Latin and Italian, specifically the Italian word 'baldacchino' (Medieval Latin 'baldachinum'), where the element refers to 'Baldacco' (an Italian form of 'Baghdad') and originally denoted a luxurious cloth from that city.

'baldachin' changed from Medieval Latin/Italian words such as 'baldachinum' and Italian 'baldacchino' (from 'Baldacco' = Baghdad) and eventually became the modern English word 'baldachin', shifting from reference to the fabric to the canopy made of it.

Initially, it meant 'a luxurious cloth (from Baghdad)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an ornamental canopy (often over an altar or throne)'.