'Pomacanthidae' originates from New Latin, specifically from the genus name 'Pomacanthus' combined with the family suffix '-idae', where the Greek root 'poma' meant 'cover' and 'akantha' meant 'thorn' (referring to a spine on the operculum).

'Pomacanthidae' was formed in modern taxonomic usage by adding the standard family-forming suffix '-idae' to the New Latin genus name 'Pomacanthus' (itself derived from Greek 'poma' + 'akantha'), and it became the established family name for marine angelfishes.

Initially the components described a physical feature ('cover' + 'thorn' = a spine on the gill cover), but over time the combined form came to be used as a formal family name referring to the group of marine angelfishes.