'human-headed' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'human' and 'headed'. 'Human' ultimately comes from Latin, specifically the word 'humanus', where 'humanus' meant 'of man; humane'. 'Head' derives from Old English 'heafod', where 'heafod' meant 'head'.

'Human' passed into English via Old French 'humain' from Latin 'humanus'; 'head' comes from Old English 'heafod' which became Middle English 'hed'/'head'. The compound 'human-headed' was formed in Modern English by combining these elements to describe something bearing a human head.

Initially it was a literal compound meaning 'having a human head'; over time the usage has remained largely literal, used descriptively in art, mythology, and scholarly description.