'sand-loving' originates from Modern English, specifically a compound of the words 'sand' and 'loving', where 'sand' meant 'sand' and 'loving' derives from Old English 'lufian' meaning 'to love'.

'sand' comes from Old English 'sand' (from Proto-Germanic '*sandaz'), and 'loving' comes from Old English 'lufian' (related to Proto-Germanic '*lubōną'); in scientific contexts a Greek-derived equivalent 'psammophilous' (from Greek 'psammos' + 'philos') has been used, but the English compound developed directly by combining native words.

Initially it literally meant 'loving sand' (a straightforward compound). Over time the basic literal sense has remained, though usage expanded into technical ecology/zoology (where the Greek-derived 'psammophilous' is often preferred) and into colloquial descriptions of people or activities that favor sandy places.