The generic name Dinogorgon is derived from Greek, meaning "terrible gorgon", while its species name rubidgei is taken from the surname of renowned Karoo paleontologist, Professor Bruce Rubidge, who has contributed to much of the research conducted on therapsids of the Karoo Basin.

[5][6][7] Dinogorgon was one of the largest species of Rubidgeinae, with the skull length of nearly 40 centimetres (16 in), almost as large as Rubidgea had.

[9][10] Like more derived rubidgeines, Dinogorgon had a number of bosses on its skull, likely to reduce the stresses caused by struggling prey.

Out of the gorgonopsian clade, the systematics of the Rubidgeinae are the best resolved due to their distinctive character traits.

Aloposaurus Cyonosaurus Aelurosaurus Scylacognathus Eoarctops Gorgonops Njalila Lycaenops Arctognathus Dinogorgon Aelurognathus Rubidgea Sycosaurus Clelandina Numerous therapsid species, including rubidgenae gorgonopsids, are used as biostratigraphic markers in other African basins, such as the Upper Madumabisa Mudstone of Zambia, the Usili Formation of Tanzania, and the Chiweta Beds of Malawi.