'handbag' originates from the combination of 'hand' and 'bag', where 'hand' meant 'the end part of a person's arm' and 'bag' meant 'a flexible container'.

'handbag' changed from the Old English word 'bagge' and eventually became the modern English word 'handbag'.

Initially, it meant 'a bag carried in the hand', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a small bag used by women to carry personal items'.