'arcticology' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'arktikos', where 'arktos' meant 'bear' (used to indicate the north) and from the combining form 'logy' from Greek 'logia' meaning 'study'.

'arcticology' was formed in English as a compound of 'Arctic' (from Latin/Greek 'arktikos') + the suffix '-ology' (from Greek 'logia') and thus entered modern English as the term for the study of the Arctic.

Initially it referred simply to the study or knowledge concerning the 'Arctic' (literally 'of the north'), and over time it has retained that core sense as a specialized academic or scientific field focusing on Arctic regions.