'barbershop' originates from English, specifically as a compound of 'barber' and 'shop'; 'barber' ultimately comes from Old French 'barbier' (from Latin 'barba') where 'barba' meant 'beard', and 'shop' comes from Old English 'sceoppa' meaning 'booth' or 'stall'.

'barber' entered English via Old French 'barbier' (from Latin 'barba'), and 'shop' comes from Old English 'sceoppa'; the phrase 'barber's shop' in Middle English later consolidated into the modern compound 'barbershop'.

Initially it referred to a place where barbers cut hair and often performed minor surgical or medical procedures; over time it evolved into its current primary meaning of a business for cutting, styling, and grooming hair.