'agoraphobia' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'agora,' meaning 'marketplace,' and 'phobia,' meaning 'fear.'

'agora' combined with 'phobia' in modern Greek to form 'agoraphobia,' which was adopted into English in the late 19th century.

Initially, it referred to a fear of open spaces, but over time it evolved to include a broader range of situations involving anxiety in public places.