Confusion with "Carangoides orthogrammus" in Hawaiian waters led John Nichols to propose subspecies of "Carangoides gymnostethoides" due to slight anatomical differences. These taxa possibly represent misidentified "C. orthogrammus", although Nichols meticulous distinction of the species may indicate a population of the species may exist in Hawaii, although these subspecies have largely been ignored by taxonomic authorities and remained unresolved. The species has the unusual common name of 'bludger', which is said to have arisen by one of two ways; either due to the blunt shape of the species snout or a description of the eventual destination of the fish when caught by professional fishermen seeking more desirable catches. In both cases, the word 'bludger' refers to an object used to bludgeon.