'florophobe' originates from a hybrid formation using Latin and Greek: Latin 'flora' (from 'flos, floris', meaning 'flower') combined with Greek 'phobos' (φόβος), meaning 'fear'.

'florophobe' was formed in modern English by combining the Latin-rooted element 'flora' with the Greek-derived suffix '-phobe' (from Greek 'phobos'). The use of '-phobe' and '-phobia' to name specific fears became common in English from the 19th century onward, producing terms like 'claustrophobe' and 'arachnophobe'; 'florophobe' follows that pattern.

Initially the roots denoted 'flower' and 'fear' separately; the combined modern term has come to mean specifically 'one who fears or strongly dislikes flowers', a usage consistent with other '-phobe' coinages.