The genus was erected in 1872 by Ludwig Koch. He placed four species in the genus, including the species then known as "Epeira malabarensis", first described by Walckenaer in 1842. Koch described "Nephilengys" as very similar in the form of the cephalothorax, maxillae and labium to "Nephila", but differing in the position of the eyes, and in leg lengths. The name "Nephilengys" refers to the close relationship with "Nephila": "Nephilengys" = "Nephila" + Ancient Greek "-engy-", "near to" or "close to".