'acrochordinae' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'akrochordōn,' where 'akro-' meant 'top' or 'extreme' and 'chordōn' meant 'cord' or 'string.'

'akrochordōn' transformed into the Latin word 'acrochordon,' and eventually became the modern English word 'acrochordinae.'

Initially, it referred to a type of skin growth, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a subfamily of snakes.