'acanthodian' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'akantha,' meaning 'thorn' or 'spine,' and the suffix '-odian' indicating a relation to.

'Acanthodian' was derived from the Greek word 'akanthodēs,' which referred to something thorny or spiny, and eventually became the modern English word 'acanthodian.'

Initially, it referred to any spiny or thorny creature, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a specific group of extinct fishes.