'barbero' originates from Spanish, formed from the noun 'barba' (meaning 'beard') plus the agentive suffix '-ero', where 'barba' meant 'beard'.

'barbero' developed under the influence of Latin 'barba' and related Romance words (e.g. Old French 'barbier', Italian 'barbiere'), and through Old Spanish usage it became the modern Spanish word 'barbero'.

Initially it referred specifically to someone working with beards ('one who tends beards'), but over time it broadened to mean a general haircutter and shaver (the modern sense 'barber').