In May 1967, The Mammalogical Society of Japan issued their third and fourth issues, announcing in English the discovery of a new genus of cat that was closely related to the primitive cat genus "Metailurus". The former genus name of "Mayailurus" stems from the word used for “cat” on Iriomote, "maya-", while "-ailurus" comes ancient Greek and also means “cat”. The subspecies name of "iriomotensis" means “from Iriomote”. The Japanese name of was proposed by Yoshinori Imaizumi, in honor of Togawa who discovered the species, but Togawa turned down the request and instead supported the name based on the Tsushima cat, which was also named after the location at which it was discovered. Koura agreed with Togawa, thus officiating the name.