'anthropomancer' originates from Greek elements: 'anthrōpos' meaning 'human' and a combining form related to 'mantis'/'manteia' meaning 'prophet' or 'divination'; the English word is formed by combining anthropo- + -mancer.

'anthropomancer' was formed in English from the noun 'anthropomancy' (divination using humans) and the agentive suffix -mancer (from Greek 'mantis'/'manteia' via Late Latin/Old French formations), producing the modern English agent noun 'anthropomancer'.

Initially the Greek roots signified 'human' and 'divination'; over time the compound came to denote specifically a practitioner who performs divination using human bodies or entrails, a meaning retained in modern usage.