'anaerobion' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'an-' meaning 'without', 'aēr' meaning 'air', and 'bios' meaning 'life', referring to life without air (oxygen).

'anaerobion' was formed in modern scientific Latin from Greek roots to describe organisms that do not require oxygen.

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