'Anhimidae' originates from New Latin, specifically the type genus 'Anhima' plus the family suffix '-idae,' where '-idae' denoted the taxonomic rank of 'family.'

'Anhima' (type genus name, from a local South American name) combined with the zoological family suffix '-idae' in New Latin formed the family name, which entered modern English as 'Anhimidae.'

Initially a purely taxonomic label indicating a family built on the genus 'Anhima,' it continues to denote the same biological family in modern usage.