'phenocryst-bearing' originates from Modern English, combining 'phenocryst' (from New Latin/Gk. combining forms based on Greek 'phaínō' meaning 'to show, appear' and Greek 'krýstallos' meaning 'crystal') and English 'bearing' (from Old English 'beran' meaning 'to carry').

'Phenocryst' was coined in 19th-century geological usage from New Latin/Greek combining elements referring to a conspicuous crystal; 'bearing' is the present participle of Old English 'beran'. In Modern English they were combined to form the descriptive compound 'phenocryst-bearing' to describe rocks that 'carry' visible crystals.

Initially the elements meant 'showing/appearing crystal' and 'carrying'; together the compound has come to mean specifically 'containing conspicuous large crystals' in geological contexts, a technical sense that has been retained.