'autocriticism' originates from Greek and English elements, specifically the Greek word 'autos' for 'auto-' meaning 'self' and the English word 'criticism' (ultimately from Greek 'kritikos'), where 'autos' meant 'self' and 'kritikos' related to 'judge' or 'able to judge'.

'autocriticism' was formed by combining the prefix 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos') with the noun 'criticism' (which evolved from Greek 'kritikos' → Latin 'criticus' → Old French 'critique' → Middle English 'criticism'), resulting in the modern English compound 'autocriticism'.

Initially, components meant 'self' and 'judging/criticizing'; combined, the term has come to mean specifically 'self-directed criticism' or 'critical analysis of oneself', a nuance that developed as 'criticism' specialized in evaluative sense.