'paraprofessional' originates from Greek/Latin-derived prefix 'para-' and English word 'professional'; 'para-' ultimately from Greek 'para' meaning 'beside' or 'near', and 'professional' from Latin/French roots related to 'profess' (to declare or practice a profession).

'para-' (Greek) was combined with the English word 'professional' in the 20th century to form the compound 'paraprofessional'; the formation reflects modern English compounding rather than a direct medieval ancestor.

Initially coined to denote someone 'beside' a professional (i.e., adjacent or supportive), it has come to mean specifically a trained assistant who supports licensed professionals without holding full professional licensure.