'anthologist' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the noun 'anthology' plus the agent suffix '-ist', where 'anthology' came to mean 'a collection of selected literary works' and '-ist' denotes 'one who practices or is concerned with'.

'anthology' itself comes from Greek 'anthologia' (ἀνθολογία), literally 'a gathering of flowers' (from 'anthos' meaning 'flower' and a root related to 'legein' meaning 'to pick or gather'), passed into Latin and then into English as 'anthology'; the modern English 'anthologist' developed by adding '-ist' to 'anthology'.

Initially, 'anthologia' meant 'a gathering of flowers', but over time it evolved to mean 'a collection of literary pieces'; consequently, 'anthologist' came to mean 'one who compiles such collections'.