The Madagascar ibis is now the only species placed in the genus Lophotibis that was erected by the German naturalist Ludwig Reichenbach in 1853. The name of the genus combines the Ancient Greek lophos meaning "crest" and ibis; the specific epithet cristata is from the Latin crustatus meaning "crest".
The Madagascar ibis is now the only species in the genus Lophotibis, introduced by German naturalist Ludwig Reichenbach in 1853. The name of this genus combines Ancient Greek words for "crest" and "ibis", with the specific epithet "cristata" originating from Latin "crustatus".