'nonchromic' originates in English by prefixing the negative prefix 'non-' to 'chromic', where 'chromic' ultimately derives from Greek 'chroma' meaning 'color' (through New Latin/Modern scientific formation) and also relates to chromium in chemistry.

'chromic' entered scientific English from New Latin/Modern formation based on Greek 'chroma' (χρῶμα) meaning 'color'; 'chromic' came to be used in chemistry to denote relationship to chromium (element named for its colored compounds). The English negative prefix 'non-' was later attached to form 'nonchromic'.

Originally, 'chromic' meant 'relating to color' (from Greek) and later extended in chemistry to mean 'relating to chromium'; 'nonchromic' therefore developed to mean 'lacking chromic properties', either in the sense of lacking color-producing properties or lacking association with chromium.