'anuran' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Anura', where the Greek elements 'an-' meant 'without' and 'oura' meant 'tail'.

'anuran' developed from New Latin 'Anura' (the scientific name of the order) and entered English usage in the 19th century as a noun/adjective referring to members of that order.

Initially the Greek-derived term meant 'tailless' (literally 'without a tail'), but over time it came to refer specifically to the group of tailless amphibians now called 'Anura' (frogs and toads).