'ascocarp' originates from New Latin and Greek elements: from New Latin 'ascoma' (from Greek 'askos') plus Greek 'karpos', where 'askos' meant 'sac' and 'karpos' meant 'fruit'.

'ascocarp' developed in scientific New Latin usage in the 19th century from forms such as 'ascoma'/'Ascomycetes' and the Greek element 'karpos', eventually entering English as 'ascocarp'.

Initially it literally combined the ideas of 'sac' and 'fruit' ('sac-fruit'), and over time it came to be used specifically for the fruiting body of ascomycete fungi.