'Americophobe' originates from modern English, formed by combining 'America' and the Greek-derived element '-phobe' (from Greek 'phobos' meaning 'fear').

'America' ultimately comes from the name Amerigo Vespucci (Italian), adopted into English via Latin/French; the suffix '-phobe' derives from Greek 'phobos' through New Latin and scientific coinages. The pattern 'X-phobe' became productive in English in the 19th and 20th centuries, producing terms like 'xenophobe' and later 'Americophobe'.

Originally, formations with '-phobe' indicated a literal 'fear of X', but over time the sense broadened to include strong dislike or hostility; thus 'Americophobe' now commonly means fear, dislike, or hostility toward America or Americans.