'chalicothere' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Chalicotherium', where the Ancient Greek roots 'chalix' (χάλιξ) meant 'pebble, small stone' and 'therion' (θηρίον) meant 'beast'.

'Chalicotherium' was coined in 19th-century scientific Latin as a genus name combining Greek elements; English adopted the form 'chalicothere' to refer to members of that genus and related animals, and the plural form 'chalicotheres' followed.

Initially it referred specifically to the genus name 'Chalicotherium'; over time the English term came to be used more broadly for any member of the family Chalicotheriidae.