[2] The name of the genus honors Zhang Ya-Ping from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in recognition to his contributions to biodiversity and evolution research in China, in combination with ixalus, a common generic root for treefrogs.

The split was based on molecular data, but was supported by morphological characteristics and differences in geographic distribution.

[1] Zhangixalus, as delimited by Jiang and colleagues, includes a deeply divergent clade containing Z. achantharrhena, Z. dulitensis, and Z. prominanus.

[1] Zhangixalus are mostly larger than their closest relative, Leptomantis, and have generally green dorsal coloration, instead of light tan or reddish brown.

They differ from Rhacophorus sensu stricto by lacking dermal folds along limbs and tarsal projections.