'asarum' originates from New Latin (botanical Latin), ultimately from Greek; specifically the Ancient Greek word 'asarion' (ἄσαρον), where 'asarion' referred to the same plant.

'asarum' changed from the Greek word 'asarion' into Latin 'Asarum' used in medieval and Renaissance botanical texts, and eventually became the modern English botanical name 'asarum'.

Initially it meant 'the plant called asarion or wild ginger', and over time it has retained that botanical meaning as 'asarum'.