'aphis' originates from New (Modern) Latin, specifically the word 'Aphis', where the Ancient Greek 'aphís' (ἀφίς) meant 'plant louse' (aphid).

'aphis' changed from the Ancient Greek word 'aphís' (ἀφίς), passed into New Latin as 'Aphis', and was adopted as the scientific genus name 'Aphis' in modern taxonomy.

Initially, it meant 'plant louse', but over time it came to be used specifically as the scientific genus name for certain aphids.