'anole' originates from French, specifically the word 'anoli', which was used to name small Caribbean lizards.

'anole' changed from French/Spanish words 'anoli'/'anolis' and eventually became the modern English word 'anole' through 18th–19th century natural history usage.

Initially, it meant 'a small Caribbean lizard', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'any lizard of the genus Anolis'.