'money' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'moneie', where 'moneie' meant 'coin, money'. 'changer' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'changier', where 'changier' meant 'to change'.

'money-changer' changed from Middle English combinations of 'moneie' and 'changere' (from Old French) and ultimately traces back to Latin 'moneta' for money and Late Latin/Vulgar Latin 'cambiare' for to change, becoming the modern English compound 'money-changer'.

Initially, it meant 'a person who changes coins or applies change', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person or business that exchanges different currencies'.