'anthropophagism' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'ánthrōpos' and 'phageîn', where 'ánthrōpos' meant 'human' and 'phageîn' meant 'to eat', with the English suffix '-ism' denoting a practice or doctrine.

'anthropophagism' developed from Late Latin/Medieval Latin forms such as 'anthropophagia' and 'anthropophagismus' (from Greek compounds) and was adapted into modern English as 'anthropophagism'.

Initially it denoted the act or practice of eating human flesh in literal and sometimes ritual contexts; the core meaning as referring to cannibalistic practice has remained largely consistent into modern usage.