ðɪs stɹˈʌktʃɚɹ ɪz ðə bˈeɪsɪs fɚðə saɪəntˈɪfɪk nˈeɪm ʌv ðɪs dʒˈɛnəs, wˌɪtʃ dᵻɹˈaɪvz fɹʌm ˈeɪntʃənt ɡɹˈiːk sˈɪmfəsˌɪs "ɡɹˈoʊɪŋ təɡˈɛðɚ" ænd θɹˈɪks; stˈɛm tɹˈɪtʃ "hˈɛɹ".
This structure is the basis for the scientific name of this genus, which derives from Ancient Greek  (sýmphysis) "growing together" and  (thríks; stem  trich-) "hair".