'allopelagic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'allos' meaning 'other' and 'pelagos' meaning 'sea'.

'Allopelagic' was formed by combining the Greek words 'allos' and 'pelagos' to describe organisms living in the open sea.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to the open sea', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.