'gynandromorphism' originates from Greek: specifically from the combining forms 'gyn-' (from Greek 'gynē') meaning 'woman', 'andr-' (from Greek 'andrós') meaning 'man', plus 'morph' (from Greek 'morphḗ') meaning 'form', and the suffix '-ism' indicating a condition or state.

'gynandromorphism' was coined in modern scientific usage (19th–20th century) by combining Greek roots directly in Neo-Latin/English scientific formation rather than evolving through Old or Middle English; the modern English term was formed from these Greek elements and adopted into zoological literature.

Initially it literally meant 'the state of having both female and male forms,' and its technical biological meaning as a condition in which tissues of both sexes occur in one individual has remained essentially the same.