'hermitism' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'hermit' plus the suffix '-ism' (denoting practice or condition). The noun 'hermit' ultimately comes from Late Latin 'eremita' and Greek 'eremites'.

'hermit' changed from Greek 'eremites' (meaning 'of the desert') to Late Latin 'eremita', then through Old French and Middle English into the modern English 'hermit', and the modern English formation 'hermitism' developed by adding the suffix '-ism' to refer to the state or practice.

Initially, the root referred to 'of the desert' or a person living in the desert for religious reasons; over time it came to mean a person living in solitude for religious or contemplative reasons, and now 'hermitism' denotes the practice or condition of such solitary living (secular or religious).