'animalhood' originates from English formation, combining the noun 'animal' (from Latin 'animal,' from 'anima' meaning 'breath, soul, life') with the native suffix '-hood' (from Old English '-hād' meaning 'state, condition, rank').

'animalhood' formed in Modern English by combining 'animal' and the suffix '-hood'. The element 'animal' entered English via Old French 'animal' from Latin 'animal', while '-hood' developed from Old English '-hād' to Middle English '-hod/-hood' and into Modern English '-hood'.

Initially, it meant 'the state or condition of being an animal', and this primary sense has remained; it is also used, by extension, to mean 'animals collectively'.