'aphthitalite' originates from modern mineralogical naming ultimately derived from Greek elements, specifically from Greek 'aphthiton' (ἀφθίτον) and 'lithos' (λίθος), where 'aphthiton' meant 'unalterable' or 'imperishable' and 'lithos' meant 'stone'; the suffix '-ite' is used to denote minerals.

'aphthitalite' was coined in the context of 19th-century mineralogy by combining Greek roots and the mineral-forming suffix '-ite', and has been used in scientific literature to designate this specific sulfate mineral.

Initially formed as a compound name meaning roughly 'imperishable stone' from its Greek roots, it evolved into the proper mineral name used today for the specific potassium–sodium sulfate mineral.