'alcyoniaceae' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'alkyonion', where 'alkyon' meant 'kingfisher', referring to the bird's nest-like appearance of the coral.

'alkyonion' transformed into the Latin word 'alcyonium', and eventually became the modern English word 'alcyoniaceae'.

Initially, it referred to the bird's nest-like appearance, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a family of soft corals.