're-baptism' originates from two elements: the prefix 're-' (from Latin 're-') meaning 'again' and 'baptism', which comes from Greek 'baptisma' (from 'baptizein') meaning 'a dipping or immersion'.

'baptism' passed into English via Late Latin 'baptismus' and Old French 'baptisme' from Greek 'baptisma'; the prefix 're-' is Latin in origin and has been combined with nouns and verbs in English since Middle English to indicate repetition, producing the modern compound 're-baptism' (also written 'rebaptism').

Originally related to the physical action 'to dip' or 'immersion' in Greek usage, the term evolved to denote the Christian ritual of baptism; 're-baptism' developed to denote performing that ritual a second time or redoing the rite, and more recently can be used metaphorically for spiritual renewal.