'Argyropelecus' originates from New (scientific) Latin used in taxonomy, ultimately derived from Greek 'argyros' meaning 'silver' and 'pelekys' meaning 'axe' or 'hatchet' (referring to the fish's hatchet‑like shape).

'Argyropelecus' was coined in modern taxonomic Latin by combining the Greek roots 'argyros' and 'pelekys'; it entered scientific literature as the genus name for certain Sternoptychidae species and has been used in ichthyology since its original description.

Initially the components meant 'silver' + 'hatchet' describing shape and coloration; over time that descriptive phrase fused into a single taxonomic name now used to denote the genus rather than a literal 'silver hatchet.'