'neornithes' originates from New Latin, ultimately from Greek elements 'neo-' and 'ornithes', where 'neo-' meant 'new' and 'ornithes' meant 'birds'.

'neornithes' was formed in scientific (New Latin) usage from Greek roots (Greek 'neos' + 'ornis/ornithes') and established in modern zoological taxonomy to name the group of modern birds.

Initially a literal compound meaning 'new birds', it evolved into a technical taxonomic name referring specifically to the clade that contains all extant bird lineages.