Image:Misgurnus anguillicaudatus.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, the muddy loach]]
From Middle English loche, from Old French loche, further origin uncertain, possibly from Vulgar Latin *laukka ("loach"), which could be from Gaulish *leuca ("loach, slug"), also attested as the feminine name Leuca, from leux, a reference to slugs' bright appearance, the fish later being associated due to similarities to the slug.