'oogamete' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'oogametes', where the prefix 'oo-' comes from Greek 'ōíon' meaning 'egg' and 'gamete' derives from Greek 'gamētēs' (from 'gamos') meaning 'marriage' or 'union' (used for reproductive cells).

'oogamete' was formed in modern scientific Latin/English from Greek elements: Greek 'ōíon' (ᾠόν) + Greek root 'gam-'/'gamētēs' and entered scientific English usage in the 19th century via New Latin terms such as 'oogametes'.

Initially constructed to mean 'egg (female) participant in the reproductive union', it has come to be used specifically for the female gamete or egg cell in organisms exhibiting oogamy.