'cotula' originates from New Latin (botanical), ultimately from the Greek word 'kotylē' (κοτύλη), where 'kotylē' meant 'cup' or 'small cup'.

'cotula' passed into botanical Latin as a diminutive form related to Latin/Greek terms for a small cup and was later adopted as the genus name 'Cotula' in modern botanical nomenclature (e.g., by Linnaean usage).

Initially it referred to a 'small cup' (referring to a cup-like shape), but over time it became established as a botanical genus name for certain small, button-like flowering plants.