'anathemata' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anathema', where 'ana-' meant 'up' or 'again' and 'tithenai' meant 'to place'.

'anathema' was adopted into Late Latin as 'anathema', then into Ecclesiastical Latin, and eventually became the English word 'anathema', with 'anathemata' as its plural form.

Initially, it meant 'a thing devoted to evil, a curse', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'things or persons that are cursed or excommunicated'.