'anthropogeny' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'anthropos' and 'genesis', where 'anthropos' meant 'human' and 'genesis' meant 'origin' or 'birth'.

'anthropogeny' changed from a New Latin/modern formation using the Greek elements 'anthropo-' + '-geny' (related to Greek 'genesis') and entered English usage in the 19th century as a technical term for the study of human origins.

Initially, it meant 'origin of humans' and over time it has remained largely consistent, referring to the study or account of human origins and early human development.