Coypu described by Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782 as "Mus coypus", a member of the mouse genus. The genus "Myocastor" was assigned in 1792 by Robert Kerr. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, independently of Kerr, named the species "Myopotamus coypus", and it is occasionally referred to by this name. Four subspecies are generally recognized: "M. c. bonariensis", the subspecies present in the northernmost (subtropical) part of the coypu's range, is believed to be the type of coypu most commonly introduced to other continents. Comparison of DNA and protein sequences showed that the genus "Myocastor" is the sister group to the genus "Callistomys" (painted tree-rats).
Given name names are special given names bestowed upon someone receiving a crown or entering a religious order. Such a person then typically becomes known chiefly by that name. The order "given name – family name", commonly known as the "Western order", is used throughout most European countries and in countries that have cultures predominantly influenced by European culture, including North and South America; North, East, Central and West India; Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. The order "family name – given name", commonly known as the "Eastern order", is primarily used in East Asia (for example in China, Japan, Korea, Malaysian