'Babiana' originates from Neo-Latin (botanical Latin), specifically the word 'Babiana', which is derived from Afrikaans/Dutch 'bavian' or similar forms meaning 'baboon' (referring to the common name 'baboon flower').

'Babiana' was coined as a Latinized genus name in botanical literature (18th–19th century) and was adopted into English botanical usage as the standard genus name 'Babiana'.

Initially coined as a genus name referring to an association with 'baboon' (common name and folk associations); over time it has remained the formal botanical name for the genus without major change in meaning.