'zoomorphization' originates from Greek elements and English suffixation: Greek 'zōon' (ζῷον) meaning 'animal' and 'morphē' (μορφή) meaning 'form', combined with the English noun-forming suffix '-ization' (via Latin/French), creating a term meaning 'the process of giving animal form.'

'zoomorphization' developed from the verb 'zoomorphize' (Modern English), itself formed from the adjective 'zoomorphic' (from New Latin/Greek 'zoomorphos'). The suffix '-ize' produced the verb 'zoomorphize' and the later addition of '-ation' produced the noun 'zoomorphization'.

Initially the Greek elements referred simply to 'animal' + 'form'; over time, English formations using these roots came to mean specifically 'the attribution or representation of animal form or characteristics', a meaning preserved in the modern term 'zoomorphization'.