'rebaptise' originates from the prefix 're-' (from Latin 're-' meaning 'again') combined with 'baptise', ultimately from Greek 'baptizein', where 'bapto' meant 'to dip' or 'to immerse'.

'rebaptise' was formed in English by attaching the Latin-derived prefix 're-' to the verb 'baptise' (Middle English/Old French forms such as 'baptiser' coming from Late Latin 'baptizare'), which itself derives from Greek 'baptizein'. Over time the compound yielded the modern English 'rebaptise' (and the US spelling 'rebaptize').

Initially, the root 'baptizein' referred to 'to dip' or 'immerse' (a physical action). It evolved into the ritual sense 'to administer baptism', and 'rebaptise' specifically came to mean 'to baptize again' (or, by extension, to rename or reconsecrate).