'anisidine' originates from New Latin, combining 'anis-' from Latin 'anisum' (from Greek 'ánisos', meaning 'anise') and the chemical noun-forming element related to 'aniline'.

'anisidine' was coined in chemical literature in the 19th century to denote an aniline derivative bearing a methoxy group; it derives from 'anise' (Latin 'anisum') + the aniline-derived ending and came into English usage through scientific nomenclature.

Initially the name emphasized the connection to 'anise' (because some methoxy derivatives were first prepared from or associated with anise oil components), but it has come to mean specifically the methoxyaniline isomers (o-, m-, p-) without implying a direct botanical origin.