'archegoniatae' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Archegoniata', where the element 'archegon-' ultimately comes from Greek 'arkhēgónion' meaning 'female reproductive organ' (archegonium) and the Latin suffix '-atae' denotes a feminine plural used in taxonomic names.

'archegoniatae' changed from Greek 'arkhēgónion' (singular 'arkhēgónion') into Latin 'archegonium', and later into New Latin taxonomic usage 'Archegoniata' (singular) and 'Archegoniatae' (plural) as a name for the group of plants with archegonia.

Initially it referred to the 'female reproductive organ' (archegonium) itself, but over time the term was extended in scientific Latin to name the group of plants characterized by possessing that organ, giving the taxonomic meaning 'plants with archegonia'.