'aquaphobia' originates from a combination of Latin 'aqua' and Greek 'phobia', specifically the Latin word 'aqua' meaning 'water' and the Greek word 'phóbos' (φóβος) meaning 'fear'.

'aquaphobia' is a modern English coinage formed by combining 'aqua' + '-phobia' (the latter from Greek 'phóbos' used in medical and psychological formations since the 19th century). The element '-phobia' entered English via New Latin and scientific terminology and combined with various roots to form specific phobia names.

Originally the roots simply meant 'water' and 'fear', and over time the coined term 'aquaphobia' came to denote a specific, often clinical, fear of water or drowning.