'human-worship' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'human' and 'worship', where 'human' ultimately derives from Latin 'humanus' meaning 'of man' or 'human', and 'worship' derives from Old English 'weorþscipe' meaning 'worthiness' or 'honor'.

'human' entered English via Latin 'humanus' (and Old French 'humain') into Middle English as 'humen'/'humaine', while 'worship' developed from Old English 'weorþscipe' (literally 'worthiness' or 'worthship'); the two elements were later compounded in Modern English to form the descriptive phrase 'human-worship'.

Individually the elements referred to 'human' (of man) and 'worthiness/office of honor'; together, the compound came to mean the veneration or elevation of humans to a status deserving worship or excessive admiration.