'anteporch' originates from Latin and Old French/English elements: Latin 'ante' meaning 'before' combined with English 'porch' (from Old French 'porche').

'anteporch' was formed in English by combining the Latin prefix 'ante-' with the word 'porch' (porch < Old French 'porche' < Latin 'porticus'), resulting in the compound 'anteporch' in modern English.

Initially it referred specifically to a porch placed before another porch or entrance; over time it has been used more generally for an outer porch or small portico in front of an entrance.