'aeolotropy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aiolos,' meaning 'quick-moving' or 'changeable,' and 'tropos,' meaning 'turn' or 'direction.'

'aiolos' and 'tropos' combined in Greek to form 'aiolotropia,' which was later adapted into English as 'aeolotropy.'

Initially, it referred to the changeable nature of certain materials, but over time it evolved to specifically denote directional dependence in physical properties.