'anvil' originates from Old English 'anfilt' (also attested as 'anfealt'), ultimately from a Proto-Germanic form such as '*anbultą', where the elements are uncertain but likely relate to notions of a striking or striking-surface.

'anvil' changed from Old English 'anfilt' (and related Old High German/Old Norse forms) into Middle English 'anvyl' and eventually the modern English 'anvil'.

Initially it meant the literal iron or steel block used for hammering metal; over time the word retained that core sense but gained extended uses (for example, the top of a thundercloud and idiomatic expressions).