'Anthyllis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anthýllis', where 'anth-' meant 'flower'.

'Anthyllis' changed from the Greek word 'anthýllis' into Latin/botanical Latin 'Anthyllis' and eventually became the modern scientific genus name 'Anthyllis' used in English botanical nomenclature.

Initially it referred to a particular plant in ancient Greek, but over time it evolved into its current use as the formal botanical genus name for certain leguminous plants.