'aepyornithiformes' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aepyornis,' where 'aepy-' meant 'high' and 'ornis' meant 'bird.'

'aepyornis' transformed into the scientific classification 'aepyornithiformes' to denote the order of these birds.

Initially, it referred to a specific bird species, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of an entire order of birds.