'arceuthobium' originates from New Latin (botanical Latin), ultimately derived from Greek elements; the name was formed to denote the small parasitic mistletoes now placed in the genus Arceuthobium.

'Arceuthobium' was coined in botanical Latin in modern taxonomy (New Latin) to name this genus of dwarf mistletoes and has been used in scientific literature since its establishment as a genus name.

Initially used as a formal taxonomic name for this group of parasitic plants, it has remained a scientific name referring to the same group (dwarf mistletoes) in modern botanical usage.