'asphodeline' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Asphodeline', where 'asphodel-' came from Greek 'asphodelos' meaning 'asphodel' (a type of plant) and the suffix '-ine' meant 'of or relating to'.

'asphodeline' changed from Greek 'asphodelos' into Latin 'asphodelus' and later into New Latin 'Asphodeline', eventually becoming the modern English botanical name 'asphodeline'.

Initially, it referred broadly to plants associated with the asphodel; over time it came to denote the specific genus 'Asphodeline' in botanical usage.