'barytas' originates from New Latin 'baryta', ultimately from Greek 'barys' where 'barys' meant 'heavy'.

'barys' in Greek passed into Late Latin and New Latin as 'baryta' (used for heavy barium-containing substances); from New Latin the term entered modern European languages (for example German 'Baryta' and English 'baryta'), with the English plural sometimes given as 'barytas'.

Initially it referred broadly to 'heavy' mineral substances associated with barium and specifically to the mineral baryte; over time it came to denote particular barium compounds (oxide or hydroxide) and specialized uses such as photographic baryta coatings.