'allopolyploid' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'allo-' meaning 'other' and 'polyploid' meaning 'many sets of chromosomes'.

'allopolyploid' was formed by combining the Greek prefix 'allo-' with 'polyploid', a term used in genetics.

Initially, it meant 'an organism with chromosomes from different species', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.