 The generic name "Scoliodon" is derived from the Greek "skolex" ("worm") and "odon" ("tooth"), while the specific epithet "laticaudus" comes from the Latin "latus" ("broad" or "wide") and "cauda" ("tail").Other common names used for this species include Indian dog shark, sharp-nosed shark, trowel-nose shark, and yellow dog shark.Phylogenetic analyses based on morphological and molecular data indicate the spadenose shark is one of the most basal members of its family, along with the related genus "Rhizoprionodon" and "Galeocerdo", the tiger shark.