'elodea' originates from New Latin, specifically the botanical name 'Elodea', ultimately from Greek where elements relate to marsh plants (from Greek 'helos' meaning 'marsh').

'elodea' was adopted into Modern/Scientific Latin as 'Elodea' from Greek roots for marsh or marsh-plant, and then entered English botanical usage unchanged as 'elodea'.

Initially associated generally with 'marsh' or 'marsh-plant' in Greek-derived formation, it evolved to refer specifically to the modern genus of submerged freshwater plants known in English as 'elodea'.