'anatinae' originates from New Latin, specifically from the word 'Anas' (the type genus of ducks) with the suffix '-inae' used for subfamilies in zoological classification.

'Anas' (Latin for 'duck') combined with '-inae' (a zoological suffix) formed the modern scientific term 'Anatinae'.

Initially, it referred specifically to a taxonomic subfamily of ducks, and this meaning has remained consistent in scientific usage.