'autolithography' originates from Greek and French elements, specifically the Greek word 'autos' where 'auto-' meant 'self', and the French 'lithographie' (from Greek 'lithos' + 'graphein') where 'lithos' meant 'stone' and 'graphein' meant 'to write'.

'autolithography' developed in English as a compound of the prefix 'auto-' and the existing word 'lithography' (which entered English from French 'lithographie' in the early 19th century), producing a term for 'self-made' lithographic work.

Initially 'lithography' literally meant 'writing on stone'; over time 'autolithography' came to mean specifically the production of lithographic prints by the artist themself (i.e., 'self-made' lithography).