Their scientific name is derived from the Latin word maxilla, meaning jawbone, reflecting on the column and the base of the lip of some species, that may evoke a protruding jaw.

In 2007, a molecular phylogenetic study found that many of the genera then accepted in the subtribe Maxillariinae (including Anthosiphon, Cryptocentrum, Chrysocycnis, Cyrtidiorchis, Mormolyca, Pityphyllum, and Trigonidium) were embedded within Maxillaria as then circumscribed, rendering that genus polyphyletic.

The authors suggested recognizing 17 separate genera, including in addition Brasilorchis, Camaridium, Christensonella, Heterotaxis, Inti, Mapinguari, Maxillariella, Nitobulbon, Ornithidium, Rhetinantha and Sauvetrea.

For example, as of December 2023[update], Plants of the World Online listed over 40 other genus names as synonyms of Maxillaria.

[1] Maxillaria species are distributed in the rainforest at sea level to elevations of 3,500 m, in Latin America from central Mexico to Bolivia, as well as in the West Indies.