'arrowweed' originates from Modern English, specifically a compound of the words 'arrow' and 'weed', where 'arrow' referred to the projectile and 'weed' meant 'plant'.

'arrow' traces back through Middle English to Old English 'earh'/'earh' (meaning 'arrow' or 'projectile'), while 'weed' comes from Old English 'wēod' meaning 'plant' or 'herb'; the compound 'arrowweed' developed in later English as a common-name formation for the plant.

The name originally linked the plant to 'arrow' (likely because stems were associated with or suitable for making arrows) but over time it became a standard common name for the species and related shrubs without implying use for arrows.