'anthropomorphization' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'anthropos' meaning 'human' and 'morphē' meaning 'form' combined with the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (via Greek '-izein') and the noun-forming suffix '-ation' (from Latin/French).

'anthropomorphization' developed from the verb 'anthropomorphize' (itself formed from Greek roots via Late Latin/Medieval usage) and from the noun 'anthropomorphism' and eventually entered modern English as the -ation nominalization of 'anthropomorphize'.

Initially the component roots meant 'human' and 'form' (i.e. to give human form), and over time the combined term evolved into the modern meaning of attributing human characteristics or agency to non-human things.