'astartidae' originates from New Latin, specifically the genus name 'Astarte', which ultimately derives from the proper name of the Phoenician goddess 'Astarte'.

'astartidae' was formed in scientific (New) Latin by adding the zoological family suffix '-idae' to the genus name 'Astarte', following Linnaean taxonomic practice; thus the genus name 'Astarte' gave rise to the family name 'Astartidae'.

Initially the root 'Astarte' referred to the Phoenician goddess; over time it was applied as a genus name for certain bivalves and later adapted as the family name meaning 'the family of clams related to Astarte'.