'actinocrinus' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aktinos' meaning 'ray' and 'krinon' meaning 'lily', referring to the ray-like arms of the crinoid.

'Actinocrinus' was used in scientific classification to describe a genus of crinoids, which were prevalent during the Paleozoic era.

Initially, it referred to a specific genus of crinoids, and this meaning has remained consistent in paleontological contexts.