'algogenic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'algos', where the root 'alg-' meant 'pain' and the combining element '-genic' comes from Greek 'gignesthai'/'genēs' meaning 'to produce' or 'be born'.

'algogenic' was formed via Neo-Latin/late Latin formation (e.g. Neo-Latin 'algogenicus') from Greek elements and was adopted into English as the modern adjective 'algogenic'.

Initially, it meant 'producing pain', and over time it has retained that core meaning as 'pain-producing' or 'pain-inducing'.