'Anagyris' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'αναγυρίς' (anagyris), which was the name used in Greek for a particular plant.

'Anagyris' was adopted into Latin botanical usage and later retained as the Linnaean genus name 'Anagyris' in modern botanical nomenclature.

Initially it referred to a plant mentioned in ancient Greek sources; over time the term became formalized as the scientific genus name for certain Mediterranean legumes.