'bankside' originates from a combination of Old Norse and Old English elements: specifically 'bank' (from Old Norse 'banki') where 'bank' meant 'ridge' or 'shelf', and 'side' (from Old English 'sīde') where 'side' meant 'side'.

'bankside' changed from Middle English forms such as 'bankeside' and eventually became the modern English word 'bankside'.

Initially, it meant 'the side of a bank or ridge', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the land alongside a river, lake, or sea'.