'pussytoe' originates from English, specifically a compound of the words 'pussy' and 'toe', where 'pussy' meant 'cat' and 'toe' meant 'toe' (referring to a cat's toes).

'pussytoe' developed as a common name in English (notably North American English) in the 19th century, formed by shortening the descriptive phrase 'pussy-cat's toe(s)' to the compound 'pussytoe'.

Initially a straightforward visual description meaning 'a (plant) like a cat's toe', it has come to name specific plants (members of the genus Antennaria).