'credobaptist' originates from a modern English compound formed from Latin 'credo' (meaning 'I believe') and Greek-derived element 'baptist' from 'baptistēs' (from 'baptizein', meaning 'to dip or immerse').

'credobaptist' was formed in English by combining the prefix 'credo-' (from Latin 'credo') with 'baptist' (from Greek via ecclesiastical usage); it developed as a technical term to contrast with 'paedobaptist' (infant-baptism advocates).

Initially used to denote someone who advocates or practices believer's baptism, the term's meaning has remained consistent and continues to refer to proponents of baptism administered to professing believers rather than infants.