'Aplodontia' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the elements 'haplo-' (from ἁπλοῦς) and 'odont-' (from ὀδούς), where 'haplo-' meant 'simple' and 'odont-' meant 'tooth'.

'Aplodontia' was formed in New Latin/taxonomic usage from Greek elements (originally seen as 'haplodont-' or similar) and adopted into scientific nomenclature in the 19th century as the genus name 'Aplodontia'.

Initially the Greek-based compound described the idea of 'simple-toothed'; over time it became a fixed taxonomic name referring to the genus now known as Aplodontia (mountain beavers).