'asterophyllite' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'aster-' and 'phyllon', where 'aster-' meant 'star' and 'phyllon' meant 'leaf', combined with the mineral suffix '-ite'.

'asterophyllite' was formed in modern mineralogical nomenclature by combining Greek roots and the New Latin/English mineral suffix '-ite'; it entered scientific English usage as the name for this specific amphibole species.

Initially the Greek elements conveyed the literal sense 'star-leaf' (referring to radiating, leaflike crystal aggregates), and over time that descriptive compound became the established proper name for the mineral 'asterophyllite'.