'aptenodytes' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'aptēnodytēs', where 'a-' meant 'without', 'ptēn(o)-' (from 'ptēnós'/'ptēnō') meant 'wing', and 'dytes' meant 'diver'.

'aptenodytes' was formed in New Latin as a scientific genus name and was adopted into modern scientific English usage in the 19th century as 'Aptenodytes'.

Initially it literally meant 'wingless diver'; over time it became established as the scientific name referring specifically to the genus of large penguins (emperor and king).