The genus was erected by the English zoologist Robert Swinhoe in 1868 with the plain laughingthrush (Pterorhinus davidi) as the type species.[1] The name of the genus combines the Ancient Greek pteron meaning "feather" with rhinos meaning "nostrils".[2]
These species were at one time placed in Garrulax but following the publication of a molecular phylogenetic study in 2018, Garrulax was split up and some of the species were moved to the resurrected genus Pterorhinus. At the same time, the four species previously placed in Babax were moved here.[3][4]