'Anoplotheriidae' originates from New Latin, specifically from the genus name 'Anoplotherium' combined with the zoological family suffix '-idae' (from Greek/Latin).

'Anoplotherium' was coined from Greek elements 'anoplos' meaning 'unarmed' and 'therion' meaning 'beast'; the family name 'Anoplotheriidae' was later formed by adding the suffix '-idae' to the genus stem.

Initially the elements referred to the genus name meaning 'unarmed beast'; over time the formed name 'Anoplotheriidae' has come to denote the taxonomic family of extinct European artiodactyls.