'barbiton' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'barbitos' (βαρβίτος), where the term referred to a particular kind of stringed instrument.

'barbiton' passed from Ancient Greek 'barbitos' into Latin as 'barbiton' and was later borrowed into English (via Latin or modern scholarly usage) to name the ancient instrument.

Initially it meant 'a specific ancient long-necked lyre or bass lyre,' and over time the term has retained that same specialized meaning in modern usage.