'D'Anjou' originates from French, specifically the phrase 'd'Anjou', where 'd'' meant 'of' and 'Anjou' referred to the historical province (region) of Anjou in western France.

'D'Anjou' derives from French 'd'Anjou' (literally 'of Anjou'); 'Anjou' itself comes from the medieval/Old French form of the Latin place-name 'Andegavia' (or 'Andecavia'), and the phrase was borrowed into English to name the pear variety associated with that region.

Initially it meant 'of Anjou' (indicating origin from the Anjou region); over time the phrase became used in English as the proper name for the pear variety that originated there, 'D'Anjou' or 'Anjou pear'.