'acanthurus' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'akanthouros,' where 'akantha' meant 'thorn' and 'oura' meant 'tail.'

'akanthouros' transformed into the Latin word 'acanthurus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'acanthurus.'

Initially, it meant 'thorn tail,' referring to the sharp spines on the tail, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.