'zoospore' originates from Greek and New Latin elements: the Greek root 'zo(o)-' (from Ancient Greek 'zōion') meaning 'animal' and New Latin/Greek 'spora' meaning 'seed' or 'sowing'.

'zoospore' was formed in scientific English by combining the prefix 'zoo-' with 'spore' (from Greek 'spora' via New Latin), entering biological usage in the 19th century to name motile spores.

Initially coined to denote 'animal-like' (i.e., motile) spores; its meaning has remained specialized and refers specifically to motile asexual spores in various groups of organisms.