'argyrol' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'argyros', where 'argyros' meant 'silver' and the element was combined with a chemical/coinage suffix (‑'ol').

'argyrol' changed from Greek 'argyros' (via New Latin/medical coinage) and the suffix '-ol' and eventually became the trade/medical name 'argyrol' in English usage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Initially it referred broadly to things of or containing silver, but over time it evolved into its current specialized meaning of a specific silver‑protein antiseptic solution.