Late 19th century; earliest use found in American Naturalist. From scientific Latin Pompilus, genus name (J. C. Fabricius Supplementum entomologiae systematicae 212; probably transferred use (although the motivation for the transfer is unclear) of classical Latin pompilus (also pompilos) pilot fish or its etymon Hellenistic Greek πομπίλος from either ancient Greek πομπή or πομπός escort, guide + -λος, suffix forming nouns) + -id, after scientific Latin Pompilidae, family name. With use as noun compare French pompilidés, plural noun.