'girlfriend' originates from the combination of 'girl' and 'friend', where 'girl' meant 'a young female' and 'friend' meant 'a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection'.

'girlfriend' evolved from the Old English word 'gyrle' meaning 'young woman' and 'freond' meaning 'friend', eventually becoming the modern English word 'girlfriend'.

Initially, it meant 'a female friend', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a female partner in a romantic relationship'.