'wallaby' originates from the Dharug language, specifically the word 'walaba', where 'walaba' referred to a small kangaroo-like animal.

'walaba' was adopted into English as 'wallaby' during the early 19th century, maintaining its reference to small kangaroo-like marsupials.

Initially, it meant 'small kangaroo-like animal', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.