The name comes from the Greek word lepis (genitive form lepidos), meaning "scale" or "husk." Lepidotos, "scaly" or "covered with scales" was used of crocodiles and fish.
Lepidosaurs were not the only animals with scales.
The related word lepros meaning "scaly," "scabby" or "rough" is the source of the English word "leprous" (as in leprosy).