'electrochemical' originates from Modern English, combining the prefix 'electro-' (from New Latin/Greek 'ēlektron' meaning 'amber, electric') and 'chemical' (from Modern Latin/Greek 'khēmeia' meaning 'alchemy/chemistry'); the adverb 'electrochemically' is formed by adding the suffix '-ly' to 'electrochemical'.

'electrochemistry' was coined in the early 19th century (from New Latin/Greek roots 'electro-' + 'chemistry'), and 'electrochemical' developed from that; later the adverbial form 'electrochemically' was formed in Modern English by affixation (adding '-ly').

Initially the components referred separately to 'electric' and 'chemistry', and together they came to mean 'relating to chemical processes driven by electricity'; this core meaning has remained stable in modern usage.