 "Hypsugo" species have frequently been listed as members of the genus "Pipistrellus", meaning that this species has been referred to as "Pipistrellus macrotis", but the generic status of "Hypsugo" is now widely accepted.Based on mitochondrial DNA, specifically the regions that encode cytochrome c oxidase and cytochrome b, the big-eared pipistrelle is most closely related to Cadorna's pipistrelle ("Hypsugo cadornae").Its species name ""macrotis"" comes from Ancient Greek "makrós" meaning "long" and "oûs" meaning "ear".