'alumina-poor' originates from modern English, combining 'alumina' (from Latin/neolatin 'alumina', ultimately from Latin 'alumen' meaning 'bitter salt' or 'alum') and the adjective 'poor' (from Old English 'pōor' meaning 'deficient' or 'lacking').

'alumina' came into English scientific usage from Late Latin 'alumina' (from Latin 'alumen'), while 'poor' evolved from Old English 'pōor'; the compound usage 'alumina-poor' developed in modern scientific and geological English to describe rocks or materials low in alumina.

Initially 'alumina' referred to the chemical substance derived from alum and 'poor' meant 'deficient'; over time the compound came to be used specifically in petrology and materials science to mean 'having a low Al2O3 content'.