'auricula' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auricula', where 'auris' meant 'ear' and the diminutive suffix '-cula' meant 'small'.

'auricula' passed through Medieval Latin and Middle English (appearing as forms like 'auricle'/'auricula') and eventually persisted in modern English as the specialized term 'auricula' for the plant and for ear-shaped parts.

Initially, it meant 'little ear' in a literal sense, but over time it evolved to refer to ear-shaped structures generally and, by specialization, to the Primula auricula plant.