[2] The origin of the genus name (Caenolestes) drives from the Greek words kainos ("new") and lestes ("robber", "pirate").

Sangay National Park was the site of the discovery of the eastern caenolestid in 2010.

The eastern caenolestid is one of the five members of Caenolestes, and is placed in the family Caenolestidae (shrew opossums).

In the latter part of 20th century, scientists believed that Caenolestes is closely related to Lestoros (the Incan caenolestid).

[5] A 2013 morphological and mitochondrial DNA-based phylogenetic study showed that the Incan caenolestid and the long-nosed caenolestid (Rhyncholestes raphanurus) form a clade sister to Caenolestes.