'Pedicularis' originates from New Latin, specifically the Latin word 'pediculus', where 'pediculus' meant 'louse' and the suffix '-aris' meant 'pertaining to'.

'Pedicularis' developed from Latin 'pediculus' + adjectival suffix (forming Medieval/New Latin 'pedicularis') and was later adopted as the botanical genus name 'Pedicularis'.

Initially it meant 'pertaining to lice' (reflecting folk beliefs linking the plant to lice), but over time it became established as the name of a plant genus with that historical association retained only in the name.