'barmaid' originates from English, a compound of 'bar' and 'maid'. 'bar' ultimately comes from Old French 'barre' meaning 'bar' or 'barrier', and 'maid' comes from Old English 'mægden' meaning 'maid' or 'young woman'.

'bar' was borrowed into Middle English from Old French 'barre', and 'maid' developed from Old English 'mægden' to Middle English forms such as 'maid' or 'mayde'; these elements were combined in Early Modern English to form the compound 'barmaid'.

Initially it referred to a 'maid' or young woman associated with a 'bar' (counter); over time it has retained this sense and now commonly means 'a woman who serves drinks at a bar'.