'acocanthera' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'akokanthos,' where 'ako-' meant 'point' and 'kanthos' meant 'thorn.'

'akokanthos' transformed into the Latin word 'acocanthera,' and eventually became the modern English word 'acocanthera.'

Initially, it referred to a thorny plant, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a genus of toxic plants.