The name Athanasia is derived from the Greek a-, 'without', and thanatos 'death', alluding to the persistent dry involucral bracts, i.e. the bracts around the flowers, which remain on the plant long after it has finished flowering. The species name dentata (Latin) means 'toothed' and refers to the serrated leaves. It has the Afrikaans common name of geelblombos, which means 'yellow-flowered bush'. Other members of the genus Athanasia have the common name Klaaslouwbossie or kouterbos and are regarded as troublesome weeds on farmlands. The first one to get this weedy reputation was Athanasia trifurcata, but others that have since had the name extended to them are A. crithmifolia, A. filiformis and A. juncea. The name kouterbos, comes from the fact that some species hamper farmers because they tend to pack up against the colter of the plough. The name Klaaslouwbossie comes from the belief that a certain Klaas Louw allowed Athanasia trifurcata to spread on his lands thus starting the whole weed problem.

The genus Athanasia is endemic to southern Africa. There are 39 species, the majority of which are found in the fynbos, but a few can be found in the Karoo with one extending into Namibia, and one species in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. This genus is a member of the large daisy family, which is very well represented in the Cape Floral Kingdom, with more than a thousand species.