'anolis' originates from Neo-Latin, specifically the scientific genus name 'Anolis', which was adopted into scientific use from European naturalists' common names for these lizards.

'Anolis' was formed as a Latinized genus name in modern zoological nomenclature, drawing on earlier French or Spanish usages (e.g. 'anoli'/'anolis') used by 18th–19th century naturalists and then fixed as the modern scientific name 'Anolis'.

Initially used by European naturalists to refer generally to these lizards, it evolved into the formal taxonomic genus name 'Anolis' applied to many related species.