'anomodontian' ultimately derives from New Latin taxonomic usage based on Greek roots: Greek 'anōmos' (ἀνόμος) or a related form meaning 'irregular' or 'uneven' (here used as 'anomo-') and Greek 'odous/odont-' (ὀδούς) meaning 'tooth', combined in New Latin 'Anomodontia' for the group; the English '-ian' suffix forms a noun meaning 'a member of'.

'Anomodontia' was coined in scientific (New Latin) taxonomy in the 19th century from Greek roots; the English noun 'anomodontian' developed later as a formation meaning 'a member of Anomodontia' and entered paleontological usage to refer to individual animals of that group.

The original sense of the root referred to 'irregular' or 'unusual' teeth ('irregular-toothed ones'), but over time the term came to denote the specific taxonomic group (and its members) rather than only describing dental form.