'Asaraceae' originates from Modern Latin (New Latin), specifically the genus name 'Asarum' combined with the standard plant-family suffix '-aceae'.

'Asarum' was adopted as a genus name for wild gingers in botanical Latin; the family name 'Asaraceae' was later formed in modern botanical nomenclature by adding '-aceae' to that genus name.

Initially it meant 'pertaining to the genus Asarum (wild gingers)', but over time its usage has shifted in many classifications to be considered synonymous with or included within 'Aristolochiaceae'.