'hymnist' originates from English formation combining the noun 'hymn' with the agentive suffix '-ist' (meaning 'one who does'), ultimately tracing back to Greek 'hymnos' meaning 'song of praise'.

'hymn' came into English via Latin 'hymnus' and Middle English 'hymne' from Greek 'hymnos'; the modern English formation 'hymnist' developed by adding the suffix '-ist' to denote a person associated with hymns.

Initially, 'hymnos' meant 'a song of praise'; over time the root gave rise to English 'hymn' (the song) and then to 'hymnist', which came to mean 'a person who writes or sings such songs'.