'puzzle-maker' originates from Modern English, specifically the compound of 'puzzle' and 'maker'.

'puzzle' developed from early modern English variants such as 'puzzel' or 'pussel' (16th–17th century) and eventually became the modern English word 'puzzle'; 'maker' comes from Old English roots (e.g. 'macian' meaning 'to make') via Middle English 'maker' into modern 'maker'.

Initially, the components referred separately to 'something puzzling' ('puzzle') and 'a person who makes' ('maker'); the compound has retained the straightforward modern meaning 'a person who makes puzzles'.