'anarcho' originates from English, specifically as a back-formation from 'anarchist' and 'anarchism', where 'anarch-' meant 'without rulers' and '-o' is used as a combining form in compound words.

'anarcho' was formed in English as a prefix or combining form to create compound words related to anarchism, such as 'anarcho-communist' or 'anarcho-syndicalist'.

Initially, it was used to form compound words relating to anarchism, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.