What's in a name: The etymology of astrobiology

Astrobiology has been gaining increasing scientific prominence and public attention as the search for life beyond Earth continues to make significant headway on multiple fronts. In view of these recent developments, the fascinating and dynamic etymology of astrobiology is elucidated, and thus shown to encompass a plethora of vivid characters drawn from different continents, religions, ideologies and centuries.
Comment: Accepted for publication in the International Journal of Astrobiology; 16 pages; 0 figures