'zootheism' originates from Greek elements: 'zoo-' from Greek 'zōon' meaning 'animal' and 'theism' from Greek 'theos' meaning 'god'.

'zootheism' is a modern English compound formed from the prefix 'zoo-' and the noun 'theism'; it does not have an attested Middle English ancestor and appears as a neologism in modern scholarly and descriptive contexts.

Initially coined to denote the idea of 'belief in animal gods' and related practices, its usage has remained specialized and its core sense has been largely stable as a term for animal-directed divinity or worship.