'hermaphroditism' originates from English formation using 'hermaphrodite' plus the suffix '-ism', ultimately from Greek, specifically the word 'Hermaphroditos', a mythological figure combining 'Hermes' and 'Aphrodite'.

'Hermaphroditos' in Greek passed into Latin as 'hermaphroditus', then into French/Medieval Latin forms; English adopted 'hermaphrodite', from which 'hermaphroditism' developed in modern English by adding '-ism'.

Initially tied to the mythic figure symbolizing a fusion of male and female, the term evolved to denote the biological condition of having both sexes in one organism.