'Mesopotamian-inspired' originates from the adjective 'Mesopotamian' and the past-participial adjective 'inspired'. 'Mesopotamian' ultimately derives from the ancient Greek place-name 'Mesopotamia' (μεσοποταμία), where 'meso-' meant 'middle' and 'potamos' meant 'river'. 'Inspired' comes from Latin 'inspirare' (in- 'into' + spirare 'to breathe').

'Mesopotamian' entered English via references to the region name 'Mesopotamia' from Greek and Latin usage; 'inspirare' passed into English through Latin (and via Old French forms) as 'inspire' with the past participle 'inspired'. The hyphenated compound 'Mesopotamian-inspired' is a modern English formation combining these elements to describe stylistic influence.

Initially, 'Mesopotamian' meant 'of or relating to Mesopotamia' and 'inspired' originally carried senses of 'breathed into' or 'moved (often divinely)'; over time the compound came to mean 'evoking or influenced by Mesopotamian styles or themes' in contemporary descriptive use.