'anapsid' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Anapsida', where 'an-' meant 'without' (from Greek 'an-') and 'apsis' meant 'arch' or 'vault' (here used to refer to openings in the skull).

'anapsid' entered scientific English in the 19th century from New Latin 'Anapsida', coined to group amniotes lacking temporal fenestrae; it later became the common English term 'anapsid' for members of that group.

Initially it meant 'member of Anapsida' (a taxonomic group), but over time the term has come to emphasize the skull condition 'without temporal openings' and its taxonomic scope has been debated (e.g., the placement of turtles).