'antitragus' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti') meaning 'opposite' and 'tragos' meaning 'goat' (used in anatomical terms).

'antitragus' entered New Latin/medical Latin from Greek anatomical terminology and was adopted into English as 'antitragus'; the plural form follows Latin-style pluralization as 'antitragi'.

Initially related to Greek root 'tragos' (literally 'goat'), referring to a tuft or projection; over time it became a specific anatomical term for a projection of the outer ear opposite the tragus and now denotes that ear structure.