'phlebography' originates from Greek, specifically the element 'phleb-' from the Greek word 'phleps' (φλέψ), and from the Greek word 'graphia' where 'graphia' meant 'writing' or 'recording'.

'phlebography' developed via New Latin 'phlebographia' and was adopted into modern English medical usage as 'phlebography' in the 19th century.

Initially, it meant 'writing/recording of veins' (a descriptive term based on Greek roots), but over time it evolved to mean the modern medical procedure of 'radiographic imaging of veins' using contrast media.