'florophobic' originates from a hybrid formation: the Latin root 'flor-' (from 'flos, floris' meaning 'flower') combined with the Greek-derived suffix '-phobic' (from Greek 'phobos' meaning 'fear').

'florophobic' was formed in modern English by combining the Latin-derived element 'flor-' (related to 'flora/flower') with the productive English suffix '-phobic' (from Greek 'phobos'); such hybrid coinages became common in the 19th–20th century in scientific and descriptive vocabulary.

Initially coined to denote 'fear of flowers' in a literal or clinical sense, its usage has remained consistent and still primarily means 'having a fear of flowers' though it can be used informally for strong dislike.