'thiamine' originates from New Latin/Modern scientific formation, specifically combining the prefix 'thio-' (from Greek 'theion') meaning 'sulfur' and 'amine' (from chemical nomenclature) meaning 'a derivative of ammonia'.

'thiamine' replaced earlier names such as 'aneurine' (coined in early 20th century by researchers studying anti-beriberi factors); the modern name reflects its identification as a sulfur-containing amine and became standard in scientific usage.

Initially described generally as the 'anti-beriberi factor' or 'vital amine', the term evolved to denote the specific compound recognized today as vitamin B1 and its chemically defined derivatives.