'Enopla' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically from the word 'enoplos' (or related forms), where the element 'en-'/ 'eno-' is associated with 'in' or a form bound to the root and 'hoplon' meant 'weapon' (ὅπλον), giving the sense 'armed'.

'Enopla' was taken into scientific/Latinate usage from Ancient Greek roots and adopted in modern zoological classification (19th–20th century) as the name for the group of nemerteans with an armed proboscis; this Greek-derived term became the established taxonomic name 'Enopla' in English scientific usage.

Initially a Greek term meaning 'armed' or 'those armed'; over time it became fixed as a technical taxonomic name referring specifically to nemerteans with an armed proboscis.