The genus was named in 2007 by Wang Xiaolin, Alexander Kellner, Zhou Zhonge and Diogenes de Almeida Campos. The type species is Gegepterus changi. The genus name is derived from Manchu ge ge, the title of a princess, in reference to the dainty gracility of the specimen, and a Latinised Greek pteron, "wing". The specific name honours female paleontologist Chang Meemann, who over the years established a cordial relationship between the Chinese and Brazilian authors.[1] In 2008 Wang emended the epithet to changae,[2] but such changes are no longer allowed by the ICZN.