'antennarius' originates from Latin (New/Scientific Latin), specifically from 'antenna' + the suffix '-arius', where 'antenna' meant 'a sail-yard, projecting pole' (later used for 'feelers' or 'sensory appendage') and '-arius' meant 'pertaining to' or 'connected with'.

'antennarius' was coined in New Latin for taxonomic use and entered scientific English as the genus name 'Antennarius' applied to certain frogfishes; the form derives directly from Latin compounds rather than from an Old English intermediary.

Initially formed to mean 'pertaining to an antenna or antenna-like structure', it evolved into a fixed taxonomic name referring specifically to a genus of frogfishes characterized by an antenna-like lure.