'anthriscus' originates from Modern Latin (botanical), specifically the word 'Anthriscus', ultimately from Greek 'ἀνθρίσκος' (anthriskos), where the element 'anthr-' related to 'flower' or 'blossom'.

'anthriscus' changed from the Greek word 'ἀνθρίσκος' (anthriskos, meaning a small flowering herb called chervil) into Late Latin/Medieval Latin botanical usage as 'Anthriscus', and it was retained in modern botanical Latin and then adopted into English as the genus name 'anthriscus'.

Initially it meant 'the herb chervil (a small flowering herb)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a botanical genus that includes chervil and related species.'