'barite' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'barys', where 'barys' meant 'heavy'.

'barite' changed from the Greek word 'barys' through New Latin 'baryta' and French 'baryte', and eventually became the modern English word 'barite'.

Initially, it referred to the idea of 'heavy' (from the Greek root), and over time it evolved into the mineral name referring specifically to barium sulfate.