'chromogenic' originates from Greek roots: 'chromo-' from Greek 'chroma' meaning 'color', and '-genic' from Greek 'genēs' meaning 'producing, born'.

'chromogenic' was formed in modern scientific/Neo-Latin usage (compare Latin/Neo-Latin formations such as 'chromogen'/'chromogenus') and entered English as a coinage built from the Greek elements to describe color-producing substances or processes.

Initially it meant 'producing color' (from its Greek elements), and this core meaning has been retained in modern technical use to describe substances or processes that cause coloration.