She acquired the sobriquet of 'Murasaki' from the name of the heroine 'Murasaki no Ue' of "The Tale of Genji," and 'Shikibu' refers to her father's position as Shikibutaijo (Aide of Ceremonials).
「紫」の称は『源氏物語』の作中人物「紫の上」に、「式部」は父が式部大丞だったことに由来する。