'antiferromagnetic' originates from English, specifically formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against'), the combining form 'ferro-' (from Latin 'ferrum' meaning 'iron'), and 'magnetic' (from Greek 'magnes' meaning 'lodestone').

'antiferromagnetic' developed from the scientific noun 'antiferromagnetism' (a term introduced in the early 20th century, notably used by Louis Néel in the 1930s); the adjective 'antiferromagnetic' and the adverb 'antiferromagnetically' were formed from that noun.

Initially it described the theoretical concept of magnetic moments aligned opposite to each other (in contrast to ferromagnetism); over time it became the standard technical term for materials or arrangements that exhibit such antiparallel spin ordering.