'bardesanist' originates from Modern English, specifically the word 'Bardesanism', where 'Bardēsanes' (Greek) or the Syriac name Bardaisan referred to the 2nd-century philosopher and teacher Bardaisan.

'bardesanist' changed from the Greek personal name 'Bardēsanes' (used in Late Antiquity) through Medieval and Modern Latin and English usages of 'Bardesanism' and eventually became the modern English word 'bardesanist' meaning an adherent of Bardaisan's teachings.

Initially it referred to the personal name or things pertaining to Bardesanes himself; over time it evolved into the specific sense 'an adherent of Bardaisan' or 'a proponent of Bardesanism.'