'entomophily' originates from Modern Latin/Greek, specifically the Greek words 'entomon' and 'philia', where 'entomon' meant 'insect' and 'philia' meant 'love' or 'affinity'.

'entomophily' was formed in scientific usage in the 19th century from New Latin/Neo-Greek coinage such as 'entomophilia' (a combination of Greek roots) and eventually entered modern English as 'entomophily'.

Initially it referred more broadly to an affinity or association involving insects; over time it has come to be used specifically for 'pollination of plants by insects'.