'anhima' originates from Portuguese, specifically the word 'anhima/anhuma,' which derives from Tupi-Guarani 'anhim,' where it meant 'screamer (a loud-voiced bird).'

'anhim' in Tupi-Guarani entered Portuguese as 'anhima/anhuma,' was adopted into New Latin as the genus name 'Anhima,' and eventually became the English common noun 'anhima.'

Initially, it referred to a loud-voiced South American waterbird; the meaning has remained specialized for the horned screamer and its genus in modern usage.