'auriculariae' ultimately derives from the New Latin genus name 'Auricularia', itself formed from Latin 'auricula' meaning 'little ear' (diminutive of 'auris', 'ear').

'Auricularia' was coined in scientific (New Latin) usage to name ear-shaped fungi; it draws on classical Latin 'auricula' (a little ear) which comes from 'auris' (ear). The plural 'auriculariae' follows Latin pluralization used in taxonomy.

Initially related to 'ear' (anatomical sense) in Latin, the term evolved in scientific naming to denote fungi with an ear-like shape; the modern taxonomic use refers specifically to that group of fungi.