'hematopoiesis' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'haima' and 'poiesis', where 'haima' meant 'blood' and 'poiesis' meant 'making' or 'formation'.

'hematopoiesis' entered New Latin as 'haematopoiesis' from Greek roots ('haima' + 'poiesis'); later English spellings include the British 'haematopoiesis' and the American 'hematopoiesis'.

Initially it meant 'the production or making of blood'; this core meaning has remained stable into modern scientific usage.