'Apterygiformes' originates from New Latin, built from the genus name 'Apteryx' plus the taxonomic suffix '-iformes' (used for orders of birds). 'Apteryx' itself comes from Greek 'apterux' (ἀπτερύξ), where the prefix 'a-' meant 'without' and 'pteryx' meant 'wing'.

'Apterygiformes' developed from the Greek term 'apterux' → Latinized as the genus name 'Apteryx' → combined with the modern taxonomic suffix '-iformes' to form the order name 'Apterygiformes'.

Initially the root referred literally to 'without wings' (describing the wingless appearance of the birds); over time the term became the formal name for the taxonomic order containing the kiwi species.