'Archilochian' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the name 'Ἀρχίλοχος' (transliterated 'Archilochus'), where the elements of the name include 'archi-' (chief/first) and 'lochos' (a company, ambush or group).

'Ἀρχίλοχος' (Ancient Greek, the poet Archilochus) passed into Latin as 'Archilochus'; from the proper name the English adjective 'Archilochian' was formed to describe things relating to the poet or his metres and style (usage attested in literary and prosodic contexts from the 18th–19th century onward).

Initially the root was a proper name referring only to the poet Archilochus; over time it evolved into an adjective and technical literary term meaning 'in the style of Archilochus' (including both satirical tone and specific metrical forms).