'archicortex' originates from Greek and Latin roots: the Greek prefix 'arkhi-' (ἀρχι-) meaning 'chief, principal, or ancient' and the Latin word 'cortex' meaning 'bark' or 'rind' (the outer layer).

'archicortex' was formed in New Latin / scientific anatomical usage by combining Greek 'arkhi-' with Latin 'cortex' in the 19th century and was adopted into modern English anatomical terminology as 'archicortex'.

Initially the elements conveyed the sense 'chief' or 'first' plus 'outer layer' (literally 'first/primary cortex'), and over time the term came to denote specifically the phylogenetically oldest part of the cerebral cortex.