'barberfish' originates from English, specifically the words 'barber' + 'fish', where 'barber' ultimately comes from Old French 'barbier' (from Latin related to 'barba' meaning 'beard') meaning 'one who trims hair', and 'fish' comes from Old English 'fisc' meaning 'aquatic animal'.

'barber' changed from Old French 'barbier' (from Latin roots related to 'barba') into Middle English 'barber', while 'fish' comes from Old English 'fisc'; the compound 'barberfish' arose in modern English as a descriptive name for fish that 'barber' (clean) other fish.

Initially, 'barber' referred to a haircutter; when combined as 'barberfish' the sense shifted figuratively to a fish that 'grooms' or cleans other fish, and the compound now denotes that cleaning behavior.