'Enopla' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'enoplos' (ἐνόπλος), where 'en-' meant 'in' or functioning as an intensifier and 'hoplon' meant 'weapon' or 'armament'.

'Enopla' was taken into New Latin/modern taxonomic usage from the Greek 'enoplos' to name the group of 'armed' nemerteans; the term entered zoological literature in this form and is now used in English scientific contexts as 'Enopla' for the clade.

Initially it meant 'armed' (literally 'bearing weapons'); over time it evolved into a technical biological name referring specifically to nemertean worms that are 'armed' with stylets on their proboscis.