'counter-pope' originates from Modern English, combining the prefix 'counter-' (from Old French 'contre', ultimately from Latin 'contra') meaning 'against' with 'pope' (from Late Latin 'papa', from Greek 'pappas') meaning 'father'.

'counter-' developed from Old French 'contre' (from Latin 'contra'), and 'pope' came into English via Late Latin 'papa' (from Greek 'pappas'); the modern compound 'counter-pope' arose in English by joining these elements to denote an opposing claimant.

Initially used to denote an opposing claimant set up against a recognized pope, the term has retained that specialized historical and ecclesiastical meaning to the present.