'baroness' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'barounesse', where 'baroun' came from Old French 'baron' meaning 'baron' and the suffix '-esse' marked the feminine form.

'baroness' changed from Old French 'baronesse' and ultimately derives from Medieval Latin 'baro' meaning 'man' or 'servant'.

Initially, it meant 'the wife of a baron or a woman holding the rank of baron', and over time it has largely retained that meaning while also gaining a figurative sense of 'a powerful or influential woman in a particular field'.