'credobaptism' originates from Latin and Greek elements: Latin 'credo' meaning 'I believe' and Greek 'baptisma' (via Late Latin 'baptisma') meaning 'a dipping or immersion'.

'credobaptism' was formed in modern English by combining the Latin root 'credo' with the English word 'baptism' (itself from Greek via Late Latin); the compound and related forms like 'credobaptist' emerged in Protestant theological usage in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Initially it referred specifically to the practice of baptizing professing believers rather than infants; over time it has remained used to denote that practice or the doctrinal position supporting it.