'androsace' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'androsace', which was borrowed from Ancient Greek 'ἀνδροσάκη' (androsakē), where 'anēr, andros' meant 'man' and 'sakos' meant 'shield', referring to the shape of the leaves.

'androsace' was used in Latin botanical texts, derived from Ancient Greek, and eventually became the modern English word 'androsace' as a botanical term.

Initially, it referred specifically to a plant with shield-shaped leaves, but now it is used as the scientific name for the entire genus Androsace.