'androconia' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'anēr, andros' meaning 'man' and 'konis' meaning 'dust' or 'powder', referring to the male-specific scales (dust) on butterfly wings.

'androconia' was formed in modern scientific Latin from Greek roots, and entered English scientific vocabulary in the late 19th century to describe these male scent scales.

Initially, it referred specifically to the male scent scales on butterflies and moths, and this meaning has remained unchanged in modern usage.