This Genus honoring Italian noble Filippo del Albizzi, who introduce it in Europe at middle XVIII century, sometimes incorrectly named ""Albizzia"". The specific name "julibrissin" is a corruption of farsi "Gul-i Abrisham" (گل ابریشم) meaning silktree, by its flowers ("Gul" گل is "flower" and "Abrisham" ابریشم means "silk").