'anthozoa' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Anthozoa', where 'anthos' (Greek) meant 'flower' and 'zoon' (Greek) meant 'animal'.

'anthozoa' changed from the Greek roots 'anthos' + 'zoon' and was adopted into New Latin in 19th-century zoological classification, eventually becoming the modern scientific name 'Anthozoa'.

Initially, it meant 'flower animals' as a descriptive phrase (referring to their flower-like appearance); over time it became the established scientific name for the group of animals now known as Anthozoa.