[1][2] The specific name cheesmanae honors Lucy Evelyn Cheesman, an English entomologist, explorer, curator at London Zoo,[3] and collector of the holotype.

It has a globose body, a narrow head with pointed snout, and very short hind limbs.

The fingers are short, broad at the base, and tapering to narrowly rounded tips.

The dorsal groundcolor varies from brownish yellow to pale brown to deep red-brown.

[4] Barygenys cheesmanae is known from montane rainforest at elevations of 2,070–2,590 m (6,790–8,500 ft) above sea level.