'testosterone' originates from Modern Latin/English coinage (1930s), formed from Latin 'testis' meaning 'testicle' and the element '-sterone' (from 'androsterone'/'-sterone' used for ketone steroids) indicating a steroid ketone.

'testosterone' was coined in the 1930s after the isolation of the active male hormone; it was modeled on earlier steroid names such as 'androsterone' and uses Latin 'testis' + the steroid suffix '-sterone' to create the modern scientific term 'testosterone'.

Initially it referred specifically to the natural hormone isolated from testes; over time it has come to include synthetic preparations and, colloquially, a shorthand for masculine aggression or traits.