'Anopla' originates from New Latin, ultimately from Greek 'anoplos', where 'a-' meant 'without' and 'hoplon' meant 'weapon'.

'Anopla' changed from the Greek word 'anoplos' into New Latin taxonomic usage as 'Anopla' and then entered modern biological classification as the name for the group.

Initially, it meant 'unarmed' (literally 'without weapons'), but over time it evolved into its current specialized meaning as a taxonomic name for nemertean worms lacking a stylet on the proboscis.