'attacus' originates from New Latin (the Latinized form) specifically 'Attacus', ultimately from Greek 'Attikos', where 'Attikos' meant 'of Attica'.

'attacus' changed from Greek 'Attikos' into the Latinized form 'Attacus' and was later adopted in scientific Latin as the genus name 'Attacus' in zoological nomenclature.

Initially, it meant 'of Attica' (i.e. relating to the region of Attica), but over time it evolved into its current usage as the scientific genus name for certain large moths.