'duodenale' originates from Latin, specifically from 'duodenum', where 'duo-' meant 'two' and 'deni' meant 'ten each' (together indicating 'twelve').

'duodenale' developed from Medieval Latin adjective forms such as 'duodenalis' and entered modern scientific usage as an adjective and as a species epithet (e.g. 'Ancylostoma duodenale').

Initially it meant 'of or relating to the twelfth part (the duodenum) of the small intestine', but over time it has become primarily a scientific/taxonomic term and is less commonly used in general English (where 'duodenal' is preferred).