'adoptianism' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'adoptio,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'optare' meant 'to choose.'

'adoptio' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'adoptianismus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'adoptianism.'

Initially, it meant 'the act of choosing or adopting,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a specific theological doctrine.