'azoxybenzoic' is a compound formation from the chemical elements 'azoxy' + 'benzoic'. 'Azoxy' itself derives from the combination of the prefix 'azo-' (from French/Greek roots related to nitrogen groups) and 'oxy' (from Greek 'oxys' meaning 'sharp' or used in chemistry to indicate oxygen-containing functions). 'Benzoic' comes from 'benzoic (acid)', ultimately from 'benzoin' (a resin name) through Medieval Latin and French.

'azoxy' emerged in 19th-century chemical nomenclature as chemists named oxygenated derivatives of azo compounds (literally 'azo' + 'oxy'). 'Benzoic' evolved from the resin name 'benzoin' (Arabic/Medieval Latin transmission) to 'benzoic acid' in modern chemical usage. These elements were combined in modern organic nomenclature to form 'azoxybenzoic' when describing benzoic derivatives bearing an azoxy linkage.

Initially the elements of the compound name referred separately to an 'azo' related group and to 'benzoic' acid; over time the combined term came to denote specific molecules or substituents (i.e., benzoic derivatives bearing an azoxy functional group) used in organic chemistry.