'anaerobe' originates from French, specifically the word 'anaérobie,' which is from Greek roots: 'an-' meaning 'without' and 'aēr' meaning 'air.'

'anaérobie' was adopted into English as 'anaerobe' in the late 19th century, reflecting scientific advances in microbiology.

Initially, it meant 'an organism living without air (oxygen),' and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.