The formation is named after the Schrattenfluh in Luzern, Switzerland. The name is derived from the Swiss-German Schratten (a synonym of Karren) meaning clints or lapies, a phenomenon that frequently affects the limestone. Kalk is limestone in German. Synonyms for the extensive formation are Hieroglyphenkalk, Calcaire à Hippurites, Urgonien, Rudistenkalk, Urgo-Aptien, Schrattenschichten, Requienenkalk, Rhodanien, Caprotinenkalk, and Urgonian Limestone. The formation consists of three units, the Lower Schrattenkalk, Rawil Member and Upper Schrattenkalk.