'apocodeine' is a modern chemical formation combining the Greek-derived prefix 'apo-' meaning 'away from' or 'derived from' and 'codeine' (the established name for the opiate alkaloid).

'apocodeine' was formed in modern chemical nomenclature by adding the prefix 'apo-' to the existing name 'codeine' (from French 'code9ine' / earlier formation 'codeine') to denote a derivative or modified form of codeine.

Initially a coined name indicating a relation to 'codeine' (i.e., a derivative), it is used specifically for particular chemical derivatives with distinct structures and pharmacological profiles.