'electrochemistry' originates from a modern English compound of 'electro-' (from Greek 'ēlektron', where 'ēlektron' meant 'amber' and by extension 'electricity') and 'chemistry' (from Medieval Latin/Old French forms related to Arabic 'al-kīmiyā').

'electrochemistry' was coined in the 19th century by combining the prefix 'electro-' (a formation from Greek roots popularized in early 1800s scientific terminology) with the existing word 'chemistry' (which itself evolved from Middle English forms influenced by Medieval Latin and Arabic 'al-kīmiyā'), producing the modern scientific term 'electrochemistry'.

Initially, 'chemistry' descended from 'alchemy', which concerned transformation of materials (e.g. transmuting metals); over time it became the systematic science of substances. 'Electrochemistry' originally described early studies of electrical effects in chemical reactions and has evolved into a broad scientific field covering theory and practical applications such as batteries and electrolysis.