'arnica' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'arnica', which in turn comes from Greek 'arnike', where the diminutive 'arnion' meant 'lamb' (likely referring to the soft, woolly leaves).

'arnica' changed from Greek 'arnike' into Late Latin/New Latin as 'arnica' and was adopted into modern botanical and English usage as 'arnica'.

Initially it referred to a plant name related to 'lamb' (because of soft, downy leaves), but over time it came to denote the specific genus Arnica and the medicinal products derived from it.