'boyfriend' originates from English, specifically the words 'boy' + 'friend', where 'boy' meant 'male youth' and 'friend' meant 'companion'.

'boyfriend' originally appeared in written English in the late 19th century often as the hyphenated form 'boy-friend' and later became the single word 'boyfriend'.

Initially, it could refer to a male companion or suitor; over time it has come to mean specifically a male romantic or dating partner.