'philosemitism' originates from Greek and New Latin/Germanic formation: specifically the Greek prefix 'philo-' (from Greek 'philos') meaning 'loving' or 'fond of', combined with 'Semitism' (from 'Semite', via New Latin and German), referring to people descended from Shem.

'philosemitism' was formed in modern European languages (e.g. German 'Philosemitismus') in the 19th century by combining 'philo-' and 'Semitism'; English later adopted the word as 'philosemitism'.

Initially used to denote a favorable attitude toward Jews or Jewish culture, the term has retained that core meaning but has also been used in historical and political analyses and occasionally with critical nuance (e.g. superficially favorable attitudes).