'autostarter' originates from Greek and Modern English: specifically the Greek word 'autos' where 'auto-' meant 'self', combined with the English word 'starter' (from 'start' + agentive '-er').

'autostarter' was formed as a compound from 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos') + 'starter' (Modern English). The compound appeared in the 20th century with the spread of automobiles and electric starting systems and later extended into computing for startup programs.

Initially the components meant 'self' + 'one who starts' (a device that starts by itself); over time the term broadened from physical engine-starting devices to include software/services that start automatically.