'analogist' originates from the Greek word 'analogos', where 'ana-' meant 'according to' and 'logos' meant 'ratio, word, reason'. The suffix '-ist' denotes a person who practices or is concerned with something.

'analogos' was adopted into Latin as 'analogia', then into French as 'analogie', and eventually became the English word 'analogy'. The term 'analogist' was formed in English by adding the '-ist' suffix to 'analogy'.

Initially, it referred to someone who uses or studies analogy, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.