'immunoglobulin' originates from New Latin/Modern scientific formation combining 'immuno-' (from Latin 'immunis') and 'globulin' (a protein name); 'immuno-' refers to exemption from public service or protection and 'globulin' denotes a globule-like protein.

'immunoglobulin' was coined in the 20th century in medical/biochemical contexts by combining the prefix 'immuno-' (from Latin 'immunis') with 'globulin' (from Late Latin 'globulus' < Latin 'globus' meaning 'sphere'), creating the term for antibody proteins; earlier related terms included 'antibody' (late 19th century) and 'gamma globulin' (used when specific antibody fractions were described).

Initially the elements 'immuno-' and 'globulin' referred separately to 'protection/exemption' and a 'globule-like protein'; together the coined term came to mean 'proteins involved in immunity' and specifically antibodies as understood in modern immunology.