'Antigonus' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'Ἀντίγονος', where 'anti-' meant 'against, opposite, or in return' and 'gonos' meant 'birth, offspring, or descendant'.

'Antigonus' changed from Ancient Greek 'Ἀντίγονος' to Latin 'Antigonus' and entered English usage through classical and historiographical tradition largely unchanged.

Initially formed as a compound with a literal sense relating to 'anti-' + 'gonos' (roughly 'in place of/against a descendant' or 'born in return'), it has primarily been used as a proper personal name and has not undergone a major shift in everyday meaning.