'autogiro' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'autogiro', formed from Greek-derived combining form 'auto-' meaning 'self' and Spanish/Latin 'giro' meaning 'turn' (so literally 'self-turning').

'autogiro' was coined in Spanish in the early 20th century (associated with Juan de la Cierva's designs); English adopted the Spanish form 'autogiro' and later the variant spelling 'autogyro' and related terms like 'gyroplane' and 'gyrocopter' appeared.

Initially it named Juan de la Cierva's 'self-turning' rotor aircraft; the meaning has remained focused on a rotorcraft with an unpowered autorotating rotor and separate propulsive engine, now seen as distinct from helicopters.