'anti-cybersquatting' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek/Latin via English 'anti-' meaning 'against') combined with 'cybersquatting', itself formed from 'cyber-' (from 'cybernetics', ultimately Greek 'kybernetes' meaning 'steersman' or 'governor') + 'squatting' (English 'squat', to occupy).

'Cybersquatting' was coined in the late 20th century by blending 'cyber-' (a modern prefix derived from 'cybernetics') with 'squatting' (an existing English verb/noun). The prefix 'anti-' was attached thereafter to denote opposition, producing the compound phrase 'anti-cybersquatting' used in legal and policy contexts from the 1990s–2000s onward.

Initially, 'cybersquatting' described the act of registering or using domain names in bad faith to exploit trademarks; over time, 'anti-cybersquatting' came to denote the range of legal remedies, policies, and preventive measures aimed at stopping that practice.