'assyriologist' originates from English, specifically formed from 'Assyriology' + the agent suffix '-ist', where 'Assyriology' meant 'the study of Assyria.'

'Assyriology' was coined in the 19th century from 'Assyria' (from Akkadian 'Aššur' — the city/god name) + Greek-derived '-logy' (from 'logia', 'study'); 'assyriologist' developed as the agent noun meaning 'one who studies Assyriology.'

Initially referred narrowly to someone studying Assyria proper; over time it has come to denote a specialist in Assyriology more broadly, often covering languages, inscriptions, archaeology, and culture of ancient Mesopotamia.