'ammocoetidae' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ammokoitēs,' where 'ammos' meant 'sand' and 'koitēs' meant 'bed.'

'ammokoitēs' transformed into the scientific classification 'ammocoetidae' to describe the larval stage of lampreys.

Initially, it referred to 'sand bed,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'lamprey larvae.'