'anomalopteryx' originates from New Latin, formed from the Greek elements 'anomalos' meaning 'uneven, irregular' and 'pteryx' meaning 'wing' or 'feather'.

'anomalopteryx' was coined in scientific (New Latin) nomenclature in the 19th century from Greek components and was adopted into English scientific usage largely unchanged.

Initially it literally meant 'irregular wing' from its Greek roots, but over time it came to denote the specific genus of extinct birds (moas) known as Anomalopteryx.