'Erysimum' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'erysimon', where 'erysi-' meant 'to draw' and '-mon' was a suffix used in plant names.

'Erysimon' transformed into the Latin word 'Erysimum', and eventually became the modern English word 'Erysimum'.

Initially, it referred to a specific plant genus, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.