the first formal description of the lilac kingfisher was by the dutch zoologist coenraad jacob temminck in 1824 under the binomial name "dacelo cyanotis". the genus "cittura" was introduced by the german naturalist johann jakob kaup in 1848. the genus name is from classical greek "kitta" for "magpie" and "oura" for "tail". the specific epithet "cyanotis" is from classical greek "kuanos" for "dark blue" and "-ōtis" for "eared".