'monococcum' originates from New Latin, formed from Greek elements: 'monos' meaning 'single' and 'kokkos' meaning 'kernel' or 'seed'.

'monococcum' was formed in botanical/Latin usage from the Greek compound (monos + kokkos) via Latinized forms such as 'monococcus'/'monococcum' used in scientific nomenclature and eventually standardized as the species epithet 'monococcum'.

Initially it literally meant 'single seed' in Greek-derived scientific usage; over time it has remained essentially the same in botanical contexts, used specifically as an epithet for species (e.g., einkorn wheat).