'Anthomedusae' originates from New Latin, formed from Greek-derived elements: 'antho-' (from Greek 'anthos') and 'Medusa' (from Latin 'Medusa' < Greek 'medousa'). Here 'antho-' conveys a flowerlike or polyp-like aspect and 'Medusa' refers to the medusa (jellyfish) stage.

'Anthomedusae' was coined in modern zoological taxonomy (New Latin) to name a grouping of hydrozoans; it echoes earlier descriptive uses combining 'antho-' (flowerlike polyps) with 'medusa' and corresponds to taxa also referred to as 'Anthoathecata' or historically grouped under 'Athecata.'

Initially the elements literally suggested 'flower-like medusae' (a descriptive phrase), but over time the term has become a formal taxonomic name referring to a specific group of hydrozoans rather than a literal description of appearance.