'andrographis' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Andrographis,' which is formed from Greek 'anēr, andros' meaning 'man' and 'graphis' meaning 'stylus' or 'writing instrument.'

'Andrographis' was adopted directly into scientific Latin as a genus name in the 19th century, and has remained unchanged in modern English botanical usage.

Initially, it referred specifically to the genus of plants, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.