'balsaminaceae' originates from New Latin, formed from the genus name 'Balsamina' (from which the English 'balsam' is also related) with the standard botanical family suffix '-aceae.'

'balsaminaceae' ultimately derives from Greek 'balsamon' > Latin 'balsamum' (meaning 'balsam'), which influenced the botanical genus name Balsamina/Impatiens; the family name was later created in New Latin by adding '-aceae' to the genus-based stem.

Initially the root referred to 'balsam' (a fragrant resinous plant substance or plants bearing it); over time the formed term came to denote specifically the plant family containing balsam/impatiens species rather than the resin itself.