The bald notothen was first formally described in 1907 as Trematomus borchgrevinki by the Belgian-born British ichthyologist George Albert Boulenger with the type localities given as at the surface at Duke of York Island and at Cape Adare.
The bald notothen was first scientifically described in 1907 by George Albert Boulenger, a British ichthyologist, with specific reference to its habitats on Duke of York Island and Cape Adare.