'aphrodisia' originates from Greek (via Latin), specifically the Greek word 'aphrodision' (ἀφροδίσιον), which relates to 'Aphrodite' (the goddess of love).

'aphrodision' in Greek was borrowed into Latin and Medieval Latin as 'aphrodisia' and later entered English usage with senses referring to sexual desire or things that arouse it.

Initially, the term referred to things pertaining to Aphrodite (and festivals in her honor); over time it came to mean 'sexual desire' or 'things that arouse sexual desire' in modern English.