'iconophobia' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'eikōn' (εἰκόν), where 'eikōn' meant 'image' or 'likeness', combined with 'phobos' (φόβος) where 'phobos' meant 'fear'.

'iconophobia' was formed in Modern English by combining the Greek roots 'eikon-' + '-phobia' (via New Latin/Modern coinage patterns) and parallels other '-phobia' words; its formation follows late 19th–20th century English use of Greek combining forms.

Initially the Greek elements simply meant 'image' + 'fear'; in English usage it has come to denote either a private phobic reaction to images or a cultural/political hostility to images (often tied to religious iconoclasm).