'Gynandria' originates from New Latin/Greek composition: from Greek elements 'gynē' and 'andros', where 'gynē' meant 'woman, female' and 'andros' meant 'man, male'.

'Gynandria' entered botanical usage in New Latin (notably in the 18th century with Linnaean taxonomy) as a coined term combining the Greek roots; it is related to and has led to the specialized term 'gynandrium' for the fused floral column in orchids.

Initially it literally meant 'female-male' (i.e., composed of female and male parts); over time it has been used specifically in botanical contexts to denote the condition or structure in which male and female floral organs are united.