'Anguilla' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'anguilla', where 'anguilla' meant 'eel'; the place name was likely influenced by Romance forms such as Spanish 'anguila' and French 'anguille'.

'anguilla' in Classical/Medieval Latin meant 'eel'; New Latin adopted 'Anguilla' as the eel genus name. European explorers applied related Romance forms to the Caribbean island for its eel-like shape, which settled in English as the proper name 'Anguilla'.

Initially, it meant 'eel', but over time it also became the scientific name of the eel genus and the proper name of the Caribbean island, extending from a common noun to proper and scientific uses.