'asteroidean' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Asteroidea', where 'aster-' meant 'star' and the suffix '-oidea' meant 'resembling or having the form of'.

'asteroidean' developed from the New Latin taxonomic name 'Asteroidea' (used for starfish/sea stars) and entered English as the adjectival or nominal form 'asteroidean' to refer to members of or characteristics of that group.

Initially associated with the Greek/Latin root meaning 'star-like', the term evolved into a biological term specifically meaning 'relating to or a member of the starfish group (Asteroidea)'.