Commemorating the Scottish botanist, Robert Brown (1773–1858), a leading taxonomist of his day and author of the first flora of Australia, in which this genus was described.

A genus of only one species. For description see Brunonia australis.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Brunoniaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.