'atheological' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the prefix 'a-' (from Greek) and the adjective 'theological', where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'theological' ultimately comes from Greek 'theologia' meaning 'discourse about God'.

'atheological' was created by adding the negative Greek prefix 'a-' to 'theological' in Modern English. 'Theological' traces back through Late Latin 'theologicus' and Greek 'theologikos' from 'theologia', which entered English via Old French and Medieval Latin.

Initially it meant 'not theological' (simply indicating absence of a theological character); over time it retained that primary sense but has also been used in more critical senses meaning 'opposed to theology'.