'anthophore' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'ánthos' and 'phóros', where 'ánthos' meant 'flower' and 'phóros' (from 'phérein') meant 'bearing' or 'carrying'.

'anthophore' was formed in New Latin/modern scientific usage from these Greek roots (appearing in forms such as 'anthophorus' or 'anthophor-') and entered English botanical vocabulary via scientific Latin and descriptive botany.

Initially it meant 'flower-bearing' in the literal Greek sense; over time it has been used specifically in botany to denote a stalk or elongate structure that bears flowers, a meaning that is largely consistent with the original.