'albizzia' originates from the Italian name 'Albizzi', named after Filippo degli Albizzi, an Italian naturalist who introduced the plant to Europe.

'Albizzia' was adopted into English from the Italian name 'Albizzia', which was derived from the surname of Filippo degli Albizzi.

Initially, it referred specifically to the genus of trees, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.