'andrographolide' originates from 'New Latin', specifically the word 'Andrographis' (the plant genus) combined with the chemical suffix '-olide', where 'Andrographis' is the plant source and '-olide' denotes a lactone compound.

'andrographolide' was formed in modern scientific nomenclature by combining the plant name 'Andrographis' and the suffix '-olide', and eventually became the modern English word 'andrographolide'.

Initially, it referred specifically to the chemical compound isolated from Andrographis paniculata, and this meaning has remained unchanged in modern usage.