'spermatozoidal' originates from Greek via New Latin, specifically the elements 'sperma' and 'zoon' (New Latin 'spermatozoon'), where 'sperma' meant 'seed' and 'zoon' meant 'animal', and the suffix '-oid' meant 'resembling'.

'spermatozoidal' changed from New Latin 'spermatozoon' (from Greek) combined with the adjectival suffix '-oid'; the scientific combining form 'spermato-' plus '-oid' produced English formations such as 'spermatozoid' and the adjective 'spermatozoidal'.

Initially it referred specifically to things relating to or resembling spermatozoa; over time it has been used more generally to describe any tadpole- or sperm-shaped form.