'arthrochondritis' originates from Greek roots: the combining form 'arthro-' (from Greek 'arthron') meaning 'joint', 'chondr-' (from Greek 'chondros') meaning 'cartilage', and the suffix '-itis' meaning 'inflammation'.

'arthrochondritis' was formed in modern medical English by combining Greek elements 'arthro-' + 'chondr-' + '-itis' and entered medical usage as a technical diagnostic term in the 19th–20th century.

Initially it referred broadly to inflammation involving cartilage; over time it came to be used specifically for inflammation of cartilage located in a joint.