'bald' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'bald', where the root originally referred to a 'white patch' or was related to notions of 'boldness'.

'bald' changed from Proto-Germanic forms (reconstructed as *balþaz/*baldaz) and Old English 'bald' and eventually became the modern English word 'bald' with senses including 'hairless' and 'plain'.

Initially, it often referred to a 'white patch' or had associations with 'boldness'; over time it evolved into the current primary meaning of 'lacking hair' and the secondary meaning 'plain or blunt'.