The word "barberry" comes from the Latin word "berberis," which itself is derived from the Greek word "barbaris." This word, in turn, is believed to have originated from the name of a Berber tribe in North Africa, known for their distinctive clothing and hairstyles. The Latin word "barbarus" (barbarian) came to mean "foreign" or "uncivilized" because of the perceived difference in customs and language between the Romans and these tribes.
While the specific connection between the Berber tribe and the barberry shrub isn't entirely clear, the name likely stuck due to the plant's distinctive, thorny appearance and its use in medicinal and dyeing practices.