'barite' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'baryte', where 'barys' (Greek) meant 'heavy'.

'barite' changed from Greek word 'barys' to Neo-Latin 'baryta' and the English variant 'baryte', and eventually became the modern English word 'barite'.

Initially, it meant 'heavy' (from the Greek root), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a mineral consisting of barium sulfate'.