It was named Girardinus guppii by Albert Günther in honor of Robert John Lechmere Guppy, who sent specimens of the species from Trinidad to the Natural History Museum in London.
Despois, Albert Günther denominouna Girardinus guppii en honor de Robert John Lechmere Guppy, que enviou espécimes desta especie desde a illa de Trinidad ao Museo de Historia Natural de Londres.