'dithranol' originates from modern chemical naming, combining the prefix 'di-' (from Greek, meaning 'two') with a form related to 'anthranol'/'anthracene' (from Greek 'anthrax', meaning 'coal'), reflecting its relation to anthracene-derived compounds.

'dithranol' emerged in the 20th century as a chemical and pharmaceutical name for the compound also known as 'anthralin'; the names have been used interchangeably in clinical and chemical literature.

Initially it was primarily a chemical name for the hydroxyanthrone compound; over time the term became chiefly associated with the topical medication used to treat psoriasis.