'actinidiaceae' originates from the Greek word 'aktis' meaning 'ray' and 'nidia' meaning 'nest', referring to the radiating arrangement of the ovules in the ovary.

The term 'actinidiaceae' was adopted into scientific Latin to classify this family of plants.

Initially, it referred to the radiating arrangement of ovules, but now it is used to classify a family of plants including kiwifruit.