'anacardium' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anakardion,' where 'ana-' meant 'up' and 'kardia' meant 'heart,' referring to the heart-shaped fruit.

'anakardion' transformed into the Latin word 'anacardium,' and eventually became the modern English word 'anacardium.'

Initially, it referred to the heart-shaped fruit of the cashew tree, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.