'productivist' originates in English as a formation from the adjective 'productive' + the agentive suffix '-ist', where 'productive' ultimately derives from Latin components related to 'pro-' (forward) and 'ducere' (to lead/bring forth), and '-ist' identifies a person who practices or advocates a doctrine.

'productive' comes from Latin roots in words such as 'producere' (to bring forth) and passed into Middle English via Old French; the English suffix '-ist' (from French '-iste', ultimately from Greek/Latin) was later combined with 'productive' to form the modern coinage 'productivist' in English.

Initially the elements meant roughly 'bringing forward' or 'producing', and over time the compound 'productivist' has come to mean specifically 'one who emphasizes production or productivity' rather than only the literal act of producing.