'non-Hookean' originates from Modern English, specifically by combining the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') with 'Hookean' (derived from the name 'Hooke' plus the adjectival suffix '-ean'), where 'non-' meant 'not' and 'Hooke' referred to the scientist Robert Hooke.

'non-Hookean' changed from the adjective 'Hookean' (formed from the surname 'Hooke') and the negative prefix 'non-' was attached in Modern English to create 'non-Hookean'. The surname 'Hooke' itself traces to Middle English forms such as 'hok'/'hoke' meaning 'hook', from which the modern surname developed.

Initially the root 'Hookean' meant 'relating to Hooke or Hooke's law'; by adding the prefix 'non-' in Modern English it evolved to mean specifically 'not following Hooke's law' (i.e., exhibiting non‑linear elastic behavior).