'anaspidacean' originates from New Latin taxonomic formation 'Anaspidacea' (order name), itself based on the genus name 'Anaspides' plus the taxonomic suffix '-acea'/'-acea(e)'. The genus name 'Anaspides' comes from Greek elements 'an-' meaning 'without' and 'aspis' meaning 'shield'.

'Anaspidacea' was formed in modern taxonomic Latin from the genus name 'Anaspides' and the suffix used for higher taxonomic groups; the English noun 'anaspidacean' developed as a formation meaning 'a member of Anaspidacea'.

Initially the components referred to 'without shield' (reflecting morphological features) and designated a scientific taxon; the modern English term continues to denote members of that taxon with the same taxonomic sense.