'nonanimal' originates from Modern English, specifically the prefix 'non-' plus the word 'animal', where 'non-' meant 'not' and 'animal' meant 'living being'.

'animal' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'animalis' (from 'anima'), where 'anima' meant 'breath' or 'soul'; 'animal' passed into Old French and Middle English and eventually became the modern English word 'animal', and 'nonanimal' was formed in Modern English by prefixing 'non-'.

Initially, the combined form simply meant 'not an animal'; over time the usage has remained similar but is often applied in modern contexts to indicate products, ingredients, or methods that are free from animal origin.