'non-halophilic' originates from Modern English, composed of the prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') and 'halophilic' (meaning 'salt-loving'), where 'halophilic' comes from Greek elements referring to 'salt' and 'loving'.

'halophilic' comes from Greek 'halos' meaning 'salt' and 'philos' meaning 'loving', entered scientific Neo-Latin/Modern Latin as 'halophilus/halophila' and then into English as 'halophilic'; 'non-' was added in Modern English to form 'non-halophilic'.

Initially 'halophilic' meant 'salt-loving' (organisms that prefer or require saline conditions); 'non-halophilic' has retained the literal opposite meaning, 'not salt-loving' or 'not adapted to saline conditions.'