'anti-anthropomorphism' originates from Greek-derived and Neo-Latin elements, specifically the Greek word 'anti' and the Greek 'anthrōpos' and 'morphē', where 'anti' meant 'against', 'anthrōpos' meant 'human', and 'morphē' meant 'form'.

'anti-anthropomorphism' was formed in modern English by attaching the prefix 'anti-' to the existing term 'anthropomorphism' (from Neo-Latin 'anthropomorphismus' and Greek roots) and so developed into the modern English compound 'anti-anthropomorphism'.

Initially it referred specifically to opposition to attributing human form or qualities to non-humans; over time it has remained largely stable and is now used broadly in philosophy, theology, biology, and literary/critical contexts to denote that opposition.