'areographical' originates from the combining form 'areo-' (from Greek 'Ares', the name of the Greek god corresponding to Roman 'Mars') plus the Greek-derived suffix '-graphical' (from 'graphē'/'graphein', meaning 'writing' or 'drawing').

'areographical' evolved via the noun 'areography' (formation in modern scientific/technical coinage referring to descriptions or maps of Mars) and the adjective form 'areographic/areographical' used in planetary science and geography.

Initially the elements meant roughly 'writing/drawing about Ares (Mars)', and over time the composite has come to mean specifically 'relating to the geography or mapping of Mars'.