'anticephalalgic' originates from Greek elements: the prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' and 'kephalē' meaning 'head', combined with the suffix '-algia' meaning 'pain', forming a modern medical coinage meaning 'against head pain'.

'cephalalgia' comes from Greek 'kephalē' + 'algia' and entered medical Latin/Neo-Latin as 'cephalalgia'; the prefix 'anti-' was later attached in modern English/medical usage to form 'anticephalalgic'.

Initially coined to mean 'acting against head pain', the term's sense has remained essentially the same, describing agents or properties that prevent or relieve headaches.