'azoospermia' originates from Greek-derived medical formation, specifically from the elements 'a-' meaning 'without', 'zōon' meaning 'animal' or 'living being', and 'sperma' meaning 'seed' or 'seed, sperm'.

'azoospermia' was coined in New Latin/medical Greek usage (late 19th to early 20th century) from the combination of Greek elements a- + zōon + sperma and entered English via medical literature.

Initially it meant 'absence of living sperm' (literally 'without animal/seed'), and the term's medical meaning has remained essentially the same in modern usage.