'actinolite' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aktinos,' where 'aktis' meant 'ray' or 'beam,' referring to its fibrous nature.

'aktinos' transformed into the French word 'actinote,' and eventually became the modern English word 'actinolite' through scientific nomenclature.

Initially, it referred to the fibrous nature of the mineral, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.