Polioptila is a genus of small insectivorous birds in the family Polioptilidae.

The genus Polioptila was introduced by the English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1855.

Although he listed several members, he did not specify a type species.

[2] This was designated by the American ornithologist Spencer Baird in 1864 as Montacilla caerulea, Linnaeus, now the blue-grey gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea.

[3][4] The name of the genus combines the Ancient Greek words πολιος polios "grey" and πτιλον ptilon "plumage".