'ailurus' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ailuros,' where 'ai-' meant 'cat' and '-uros' meant 'tail.'

'ailuros' transformed into the Latin word 'ailurus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ailurus.'

Initially, it meant 'cat-like creature,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a genus of mammals that includes the red panda.'