'androphile' originates from Greek, specifically the element 'andr-' from 'anḗr' meaning 'man' and the suffix '-phile' from 'phílos' meaning 'loving' or 'fond of'.

'androphile' is a modern coinage formed in English (via New Latin/modern combining forms) by joining Greek-derived elements 'andr-' and '-phile'; it entered English usage in contexts discussing sexual orientation or affinities.

Initially formed to denote a 'lover of men' in a literal combining-form sense; over time it has been used more specifically to describe sexual or romantic attraction to men.