'madrone' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'madroño', where the Spanish term referred to the strawberry-tree or similar Arbutus species.

'madrone' entered English from Spanish 'madroño' during the period of exploration and settlement of the western North American coast (18th–19th centuries) and was adapted in spelling and pronunciation to English as 'madrone'.

Initially the Spanish term applied to Mediterranean/ Ibero‑Atlantic strawberry-tree species; over time English usage extended the name to North American Arbutus species such as Arbutus menziesii.