[3] Its species name "leucomelas" is from Ancient Greek "leukomélās" meaning "black and white."

However, genetic studies indicated that the species was paraphyletic as previously defined, with B. leucomelas from Egypt (B. leucomelas sensu stricto) being the sister species to the Beijing barbastelle (B. beijingensis), with the clade containing both being sister to the western barbastelle (B. barbastellus).

The American Society of Mammalogists, IUCN Red List, and ITIS all follow the results of this study, although the IUCN Red List erroneously still lumps darjelingensis, caspica, and pacifica on its page for B.

[1][2][5] Following taxonomic revisions, it is only known from a few scattered populations in North & East Africa and the Levant, on both sides of the Red Sea.

[6] Although classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, this status includes darjelingensis, caspica, and pacifica, which are now thought to be distinct species.