'iconophilic' originates from Greek elements: from 'eikōn' (εἰκών) meaning 'image, likeness' combined with '-philos' (φίλος) meaning 'loving' (via the combining form '-phile'/'-philic').

'iconophilic' developed in modern English from the combining form 'icono-' (from Greek 'eikōn' through Latin and French mediation) plus the Greek-derived suffix '-philic' (from '-philos'); related nouns like 'iconophile' and 'iconophilia' appeared in contexts discussing attitudes toward religious images (e.g., debates over iconoclasm) and later broadened to general image appreciation.

Initially used specifically about attitudes toward religious icons (love of religious images), the sense has widened to denote a general fondness for or preference for images and pictorial representation.