'bananaquit' originates from English, formed as a compound of 'banana' and 'quit', where 'banana' referred to the banana plant and 'quit' likely derives from a Carib or other indigenous Caribbean word used for small passerine birds.

'bananaquit' developed in English as a local West Indian name (often written as 'banana-quit' in early usage) and eventually became established in modern English as the single-word name 'bananaquit'.

Initially it meant 'a bird often seen around banana plants' or a local name for a small Caribbean bird, but over time it evolved into its current meaning referring specifically to the species Coereba flaveola (and closely related forms).