'dicephalous' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'dicephalus', where the Greek prefix 'di-' meant 'two' and 'kephalē' meant 'head'.

'dicephalous' changed from Medieval Latin/Neo‑Latin 'dicephalus', ultimately from Ancient Greek 'dikēphalos' (from 'di-' + 'kephalē'), and eventually became the modern English adjective 'dicephalous'.

Initially, it meant 'having two heads', and over time this core meaning has been largely retained in scientific and descriptive usage.