'austrophilism' originates from the combining form 'Austro-' (referring to 'Austria') and the Greek-derived element '-philism' from 'philos' meaning 'loving' or 'fond of'. The prefix 'Austro-' ultimately relates to German 'Österreich' (literally 'eastern realm').

'austrophilism' was formed in English by analogy with words like 'anglophilism' and 'francophilism', and is historically related to the noun 'austrophile' and the variant 'austrophilia'; it emerged in modern English usage in the 19th–20th century as a label for a pro-Austrian sentiment.

Initially it meant 'a preference for or affinity toward Austria,' and this core meaning has remained stable in modern usage.