'anti-nepotistic' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek ἀντί via Latin, meaning 'against') combined with 'nepotistic', which is formed from 'nepotism'. 'Nepotism' itself comes from Italian 'nepotismo' and ultimately Latin 'nepos' meaning 'nephew'.

'nepotism' entered English from Italian 'nepotismo' (used especially of Renaissance papal practices of favoring 'nepotes' or nephews); the adjective 'nepotistic' developed from 'nepotism', and the compound 'anti-nepotistic' is formed by adding the prefix 'anti-' to express opposition to that practice.

Initially, related words (from Latin 'nepos') referred specifically to 'nephew' and later to favoritism toward relatives in office; over time the sense broadened to general family-based favoritism, and 'anti-nepotistic' now means opposing such favoritism and supporting merit-based practices.