'aphthartodocetist' originates from Greek elements, specifically 'aphthartos' and a form related to 'dokētēs'/'dokētai'; 'aphthartos' meant 'incorruptible' and 'dokē-' (from 'dokein') meant 'to seem' or 'to appear'.

'aphthartodocetist' developed in English theological and historical writing from the Late Latin/Medieval Greek designations for the sect (e.g. Medieval Greek 'Aphthartodokētai' / Late Latinized forms), eventually appearing in modern English as 'aphthartodocetist(s)'.

Initially, the Greek-derived label referred specifically to adherents who taught the incorruptibility of Christ's body; over time the term has been preserved in historical and doctrinal discussions with the same core sense, now used chiefly as a historical/theological label.