'anoplotheriidae' originates from New Latin taxonomic formation based on the genus name 'Anoplotherium' plus the family suffix '-idae'. 'Anoplotherium' itself comes from Greek elements where 'an-' meant 'without', 'hoplon' (ὅπλον) meant 'weapon/armor', and 'therion' (θήριον) meant 'beast'.

The genus name 'Anoplotherium' was coined in the early 19th century (by naturalists describing fossil mammals). The family name 'Anoplotheriidae' was later formed by adding the standard zoological suffix '-idae' to the genus stem to denote a family grouping.

Initially the genus name literally conveyed the idea of an 'unarmed beast' (referring to aspects of the animal's dentition or limbs as interpreted by early describers); over time the formed family name 'anoplotheriidae' has come to denote the taxonomic group (the family of related extinct artiodactyl mammals) rather than implying a literal 'unarmed' meaning.