'barasingha' originates from Hindi, specifically the word 'barasingha', where 'bara' meant 'twelve' and 'singha' (from Sanskrit 'śṛṅga') meant 'horn' or 'antler'.

'barasingha' was borrowed into English in the 19th century from Hindi during British colonial contact; the term retained its original form and came to denote the species now scientifically named Rucervus duvaucelii.

Initially, it meant 'twelve-horned' (referring to antlers with many tines), but over time it evolved into the name of the species 'barasingha'.