'balearian' originates from Latin (via Ancient Greek), specifically the word 'Baleares', where the Greek root 'ballein' (βάλλειν) meant 'to throw' (a reference to the islanders' reputed skill as slingers).

'balearian' changed from the Latin/Greek place-name 'Baleares' (Ancient Greek Βαλεαρεῖς) into Medieval and Modern forms such as 'Balearic', and eventually appeared in English usage as 'balearian' to denote relation to the islands.

Initially it referred to the people or the place tied to the name 'Baleares' (and implicitly to 'slingers'); over time it evolved into the geographic/ethnic adjective and noun sense 'relating to or from the Balearic Islands'.