The species was first described by John Lindley in the 1840 work A sketch of the vegetation of the Swan River Colony. Three subspecies have also been described and recognised. The genus name Anigozanthos possibly combines Ancient Greek words "anisos", meaning unequal, and "anthos", meaning flower (in reference to the shape of the flowers). The specific epithet, humilis, means "low-growing".
The common name catspaw was initially applied to this species, then for several other species of Anigozanthos, this is assumed to have been coined to contrast these with larger flowers and scapes of 'kangaroo paws'. The widely occurring A. humilis subsp. humilis is referred to as the common catspaw.
Anigozanthos humilis subsp. humilis is listed in the following regions:
Places
Cooljarloo, WA