'Acalypha' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'akalyphē,' where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'kalyphē' meant 'nettle.'

'Akalyphē' transformed into the Latin word 'Acalypha,' and eventually became the modern English word 'Acalypha.'

Initially, it referred to a plant resembling a nettle, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a genus of flowering plants.