'non-Anatolic' originates from English, specifically formed from the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non') meaning 'not' combined with 'Anatolic', which derives from 'Anatolia' (from Greek 'Anatolē').

'Anatolia' comes from Greek 'Anatolē' meaning 'east' ('anatole' = 'east'/'sunrise'); the geographic name passed into Latin and Medieval Latin as 'Anatolia' and into modern English as 'Anatolia', with the adjective 'Anatolic' and the negative formation 'non-Anatolic' produced later in English.

Initially it referred simply to 'not of or relating to Anatolia'; over time the use has remained focused on distinguishing features, origins, or influences that are outside or not characteristic of Anatolia.