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 formally introduced in 1907 as Trematomus borchgrevinki by George Albert Boulenger, highlighting the type locations at Duke of York Island and Cape Adare.