The Japanese name for the recurring Mario series enemy Dry Bones is "Karon" ("カロン"), which is derived from "karakara" ("からから"), a Japanese ideophone that can be used as an adverb for clattering or rattling, or as an adjective meaning "dry". While one would presume that the English name "Dry Bones" was derived from that, it has instead been theorized by some that the name could have been taken from an episode in the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. In Ezekiel 37:1–14, the titular prophet describes an event where God leads him to a valley full of skeletons, referred to as "dry bones" in multiple English translations of the passage. Ezekiel then restores them to life by preaching to them, with the book stating:


Although Dry Bones in the Mario series don't regain their flesh, they otherwise bear similarities to the Biblical prophecy in that they are undead, skeletal Koopa Troopas that can reform moments after being stomped on while making a rattling sound. Despite this, it's unknown if Nintendo has ever officially explained the origins of its English name, or intended these similarities in the enemy's design.