'phenylmethane' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'phaino,' where 'phaino' meant 'to show' and 'methane' is derived from 'methanol,' indicating a single carbon atom.

'phenylmethane' changed from the Greek word 'phaino' and the chemical term 'methane' and eventually became the modern English word 'phenylmethane'.

Initially, it meant 'a compound with a phenyl group,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.