'Anguidae' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Anguidae', where the Latin root 'anguis' meant 'snake' and the suffix '-idae' (from Greek '-idēs') signified a family.

'Anguidae' changed from the Latin word 'anguis' ('snake') into the New Latin taxonomic formation 'Anguidae', and eventually became the modern scientific family name 'Anguidae' used in English.

Initially, the root 'anguis' meant 'snake'; over time, through taxonomic usage, the term evolved into its current meaning referring to a family of lizards rather than to snakes themselves.