'robusta' originates from Latin, specifically the adjective 'robustus,' where 'robur' meant 'oak' or 'strength' and 'robustus' meant 'strong' or 'hardy'.

'robustus' was used in Classical and Late Latin to mean 'strong' or 'hardy'; in botanical/Scientific Latin the feminine form 'robusta' was applied as a specific epithet (e.g., Coffea robusta), and from scientific usage it was adopted into English as the common name 'robusta' for the coffee.

Initially it meant 'strong' or 'oak-like (hard)', but over time it came to denote specifically a coffee species/group characterized by robustness (strong flavor and hardiness).