'pointed-finned' originates from Modern English, specifically a compound of 'pointed' and 'finned', where 'pointed' meant 'having a point' and 'finned' meant 'having fins or having a fin-like appendage'.

'pointed' comes via Old French 'point' from Latin 'punctum' (from 'pungere', 'to prick'); 'fin' appears in Middle English as 'fin' and is related to Dutch 'vin' and German 'Finne', and 'finned' is the adjectival form meaning 'having fins'. The compound 'pointed-finned' is a modern English descriptive formation combining those elements.

Initially, 'pointed' referred generally to 'having a point' and 'fin' referred simply to the fin of a fish or marine animal; over time the compound has been used to specify the shape of fins (sharp or tapered) rather than merely the presence of fins.