this species was first described by linnaeus in his "systema naturae" in 1758 as "hirundo subis". the current genus name refers to procne ("πρόκνη"), a mythological girl who was turned into a swallow to save her from her husband. she had killed their son to avenge the rape of her sister. the specific "subis" is latin and refers to a type of bird that breaks eagles’ eggs; it may have been applied to this species because of its aggression towards birds of prey when it is nesting.