'antheridium' originates from New Latin (scientific Latin), ultimately from Greek 'ἀνθηρίδιον' (antheridion), where the element 'anther-' is related to the Greek word for 'anther' or the male flower part and the diminutive suffix '-idion' meant 'little' or 'small structure'.

'antheridium' changed from Greek 'ἀνθηρίδιον' (antheridion) into New Latin/Modern Latin 'antheridium' and was later adopted into English as the scientific term 'antheridium' (plural 'antheridia').

Initially it referred to a 'small anther/flower-like structure'; over time the sense narrowed to the specific biological meaning 'male reproductive organ (gametangium) in certain lower plants and algae'.