'Arum' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arum', which in turn comes from Greek 'aron' meaning 'arum' (the plant).

'Arum' changed from the Greek word 'aron' to the Latin 'arum', was used in Medieval Latin in botanical contexts, and eventually entered modern English botanical vocabulary as 'Arum'.

Initially it referred to the plant itself ('arum' the plant); over time it has remained primarily a botanical term for the genus and is also used as a common name for similar aroid plants.