Ischemia
The word "ischemia" () is from Greek ἴσχαιμος "iskhaimos", "staunching blood" from ἴσχω "iskhο", "keep back, restrain" and αἷμα "haima", "blood".
Highlands punaré
The etymology of the species name corresponds to the Latin word "inermis" meaning "unarmed, defenceless" — itself constructed from the prefix "in-" meaning "without" and the stem "arma" meaning "defensive arms, armor" —, and refers to the soft fur of "Thrichomys" members replacing the spiny hair of the other genera of Echimyidae.