'asarum' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'asaron' (ἀσάρον), where 'asaron' referred to a plant (the wild ginger).

'asarum' changed from the Ancient Greek word 'asaron' into Latin as 'asarum' and was carried into botanical Latin and modern English usage as the genus name 'Asarum'.

Initially, it meant 'the plant asaron (a wild ginger-like plant)', and over time it has remained the name referring to that group of plants (the genus Asarum).