'arenite' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arena', where 'arena' meant 'sand'; the suffix '-ite' (from Greek '-ites') is used in mineral and rock names.

'arenite' came into geological usage in the 19th century from Neo-Latin or French geological terminology (e.g. French 'arénite') and was adopted into English as a technical term for certain sandstones.

Initially formed from roots meaning 'of sand' or 'sandy', it developed into a technical geological noun meaning 'a sandstone with little matrix'.