'Anchitherium' originates from New Latin, derived from Greek elements 'ankhi-' and 'therion', where 'ankhi-' meant 'near' or 'close' and 'therion' meant 'beast'.

'Anchitherium' was coined in modern scientific (New Latin) taxonomy using classical Greek roots; the name entered paleontological literature in the 19th century as a genus name and has been used since to designate this group of fossil horses.

Initially the Greek elements meant 'near (or close) beast', but in scientific usage the combined form 'Anchitherium' came to function specifically as the name of an extinct genus of small three-toed horses.