'banjulele' originates from English, specifically a blend of 'banjo' and 'ukulele', where 'banjo' referred to the drum-like string instrument (itself from African origins) and 'ukulele' came from Hawaiian 'uku' (flea) + 'lele' (to jump).

'banjulele' developed as a lexical blend in the early 20th century as the hybrid instrument gained popularity; the variant spelling 'banjolele' was popularized in the 1920s by performers such as George Formby and became established in English usage.

Initially coined to name the hybrid instrument, the term has retained that specific meaning and continues to denote the banjo-ukulele hybrid.