These medium-sized to large shearwater species were formerly included in the genus Puffinus.

A phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA published in 2004 found that Puffinus contained two distinct clades and was polyphyletic, with Puffinus more closely related to Calonectris than to Ardenna.

[4][5] Reichenbach cites the Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi who in 1603 used the spelling "Artenna" for a seabird.

[6][7] Recent genomic studies have validated the phylogenetic distinction between Ardenna and Puffinus, though this study finding Ardenna rather than Puffinus being closer to Calonectris.

[8] The genus contains seven extant species as shown below:[9] The genus contains five extinct species as shown below:[11] Phylogeny based on a study by Joan Ferrer Obiol and collaborators published in 2022.