'adiantum' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'adiantos', where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'diantos' meant 'wetting'.

'adiantos' transformed into the Latin word 'adiantum', and eventually became the modern English word 'adiantum'.

Initially, it meant 'not wetting', referring to the water-repellent nature of the leaves, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.