'd'Anjou' originates from French, specifically the phrase 'd'Anjou', where 'd'' meant 'of' and 'Anjou' referred to the historical province 'Anjou' in western France.

'd'Anjou' was adopted into English usage in the 19th century as the name of this pear cultivar; the place name 'Anjou' itself goes back through Old French to Latin (e.g. 'Andegavia' / 'Andegavum') referring to the same region.

Initially it indicated provenance ('of Anjou'), but over time it became fixed as the cultivar name for this type of pear in English.