'canephora' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'kanēphoros' (κανηφόρος), where 'kanē' meant 'basket' and 'phoros' meant 'bearer.'

'canephora' came into modern usage via Latin and classical scholarship from Greek 'kanēphoros' and was adopted into English in references to ancient Greek religion and art.

Initially, it meant 'basket-bearer' in the literal ritual sense, and this core meaning has been retained in modern scholarly use.