The word 'ancistrodon' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'ankistron' meaning 'hook' and 'odous' meaning 'tooth', referring to the hooked fangs of the snake.

'Ancistrodon' was adopted into scientific Latin from Greek, and has been used in taxonomy to describe this genus of snakes.

Initially, it referred specifically to snakes with hooked fangs, and now it is used as a scientific genus name for certain pit vipers.