'Anasazi' originates from the Navajo language, specifically the word 'anaasází', where 'anaa-' meant 'enemy' and '-sází' meant 'ancestors'.

'Anasazi' was adopted into English in the late 19th century to refer to the ancient Puebloan peoples of the American Southwest.

Initially, it meant 'ancient enemies' or 'enemy ancestors' in Navajo, but in English it came to refer specifically to the ancient Puebloan people and their culture.