'zoogamete' originates from New Latin/Modern scientific coinage, from the combining form 'zoo-' (from Greek 'zoon') meaning 'animal' and 'gamete' from Greek 'gamētēs' meaning 'spouse' or 'married person' (used for reproductive cells).

'zoogamete' was formed in modern scientific nomenclature by combining the Greek-derived prefix 'zoo-' + the term 'gamete' (itself from Greek 'gamētēs' via New Latin), producing a compound used in 19th–20th century biological literature and retained in modern usage.

Initially formed to denote an 'animal-like gamete' or simply a 'motile gamete'; the meaning has remained relatively stable and is still used to indicate a motile reproductive cell (often contrasted with immotile eggs).