'apiophobia' originates from Latin and Greek, specifically from Latin 'apis' meaning 'bee' and Greek 'phobos' (φóβος) meaning 'fear'.

'apiophobia' is a modern English formation combining Latin 'apis' and Greek-derived suffix '-phobia' (from Greek 'phobos'); it was coined in modern medical/psychological vocabulary rather than evolving from a single medieval English predecessor.

Initially formed to denote 'fear of bees', and this original meaning has been retained in modern usage.