The term 'shiki' of the Shikimoku has means shiki of the Kyakushiki code (amendments and enforcement regulations of the ritsuryo law), while it is allegedly derived from shikijo (code), a form of court noble law which was established to complement Engishiki (an ancient book for codes and procedures on national rites and prayers) that was the last and comprehensive shiki compiled in the Imperial court.
式目の「式」は格式の式という意味もあるが、朝廷で編纂された最後の包括的な式にあたる延喜式を補完するために制定された公家法の形式の1つである式条に由来するとされる。