'Anglophobe' originates from a combination of 'Anglo-' (from Medieval Latin 'Anglicus', ultimately from Old English 'Englisc') and the Greek word 'phobos', where 'phobos' meant 'fear'.

'phobos' (Greek) gave rise to the suffix '-phobe' via New Latin/French usage as a formation element, and this suffix was combined with the prefix 'Anglo-' to form the modern English coinage 'Anglophobe' in the 19th–20th century.

Initially it meant 'one who fears the English', but over time it has come to include 'one who dislikes or is hostile toward the English or British culture' as well.