When a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2020 found that Estrilda was paraphyletic, the genus Brunhilda was resurrected for this species and the black-cheeked waxbill.
When a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2020 revealed that Estrilda was not monophyletic, the genus Brunhilda was revived to encompass this species and the black-cheeked waxbill.