Though hadrosaurid specimens from South America had been described before, Secernosaurus koeneri was the first species of South American hadrosaurid to be formally named. The genus name Secernosaurus means "separated reptile" and comes from the Latin verb sēcernō, meaning to sever or divide, in reference to its geographic location separated from Laurasian hadrosaurs.
Though previous descriptions existed for hadrosaur fossils found in South America, Secernosaurus koeneri was the first species of this type of dinosaur formally named and recognized. The genus name "Secernosaurus" means "separated reptile," derived from the Latin verb "sēcernō," which signifies to sever or divide, reflecting its geographical isolation from Laurasian hadrosaurs.