'aquifoliaceae' originates from New Latin, specifically the taxonomic formation 'Aquifoliaceae', where 'aquifolium' (from Latin) meant 'holly' or 'sharp-leaved holly'.

'aquifoliaceae' changed from the Latin word 'aquifolium' (used for holly) into the New Latin family-name formation 'Aquifoliaceae' used in botanical Latin, and eventually became the modern scientific family name 'aquifoliaceae' in English usage.

Initially it referred to the Latin term for holly ('aquifolium'), but over time it evolved into the modern technical family name meaning 'the holly family'.