'paratrooper' originates from English, specifically formed as a compound of the element 'para-' (from 'parachute', ultimately from French 'parachute') meaning 'against/against a fall; relating to parachutes' and 'trooper' (from French 'troupe') meaning 'member of a troop or soldier'.

'paratrooper' was coined during the 20th century (especially around World War II) from the phrase 'parachute troop' and shortened/compounded into the single word 'paratrooper'. The components 'parachute' itself comes from French 'parachute' and 'troop' from French 'troupe' (via Middle English and Old French).

Initially, the term referred specifically to troops who were delivered by parachute ('parachute troops'); over time it has also come to refer commonly to an individual soldier who parachutes into combat as well as to the unit type.