'palaeo-' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'palaios' meaning 'ancient', and 'climatology' derives from Greek 'klima' meaning 'region' or 'inclination' combined with '-logy' from 'logos' meaning 'study'.

'palaeoclimatology' was formed in modern scientific English by combining the prefix 'palaeo-' (from Greek 'palaios') with 'climatology' (from Greek 'klima' + 'logos'); the compound came into use in the 20th century as the study of ancient climates became established.

Initially formed to mean 'the study of ancient climates', the term's core meaning has remained consistent, referring specifically to scientific reconstructions and analyses of past climate conditions.