'amino-containing' originates from two elements: 'amino', a scientific combining form ultimately from 'amine' (Modern Latin/French 'amine', itself derived from 'ammonia'), where 'am-'/'ammon-' related to 'ammonia' and the element nitrogen; and 'containing' from English 'contain', from Latin 'continere' (con- + tenere) meaning 'to hold together' or 'to hold within'.

'amino' was coined in the 19th century in chemical nomenclature as a derivative of 'amine' (which came from 'ammonia'); 'containing' developed from Old French 'contenir' and Latin 'continere' and entered Middle English as 'contain'. The compound adjective 'amino-containing' is a modern scientific formation combining these elements to describe chemical composition.

Initially, 'amino' referred specifically to derivatives of ammonia or amines; over time it came to be used more generally as a combining form denoting the presence of an amino group. 'Containing' has consistently meant 'having within', so the combined phrase now specifically means 'having an amino group or amino residues'.