'areocentric' originates from New Latin/Greek combining forms, specifically the combining form 'areo-' (from Greek 'Ares', via Latin 'Mars') meaning 'of or relating to Mars', combined with the adjective-forming element 'centric' from Greek 'kentron' meaning 'center'.

'areocentric' was formed in modern scientific/astronomical usage by combining 'areo-' (relating to Mars) with '-centric' (centered on). It entered English in technical contexts (astronomy/planetary science) in the modern period rather than evolving through medieval English.

Initially coined to mean 'centered on or relative to Mars', the term has retained this specialized astronomical meaning in contemporary usage.