'antheridiophore' originates from New Latin, ultimately from Ancient Greek elements: the Greek 'antheridion' (a diminutive of 'anthera', meaning 'anther' or 'male reproductive organ') and 'phoros'/'phore' (from Greek 'pherein', meaning 'to bear').

The compound term was coined in New Latin botanical terminology (19th century scientific literature) by combining Greek roots and was adopted into English technical vocabulary without major change as 'antheridiophore'.

Initially it referred specifically to a structure bearing antheridia; over time the term has retained this technical botanical meaning with little semantic change.