The generic name, Lampropeltis, is derived from the Ancient Greek lamprós (λαμπρος) meaning "shiny" and peltas (πελτας) meaning "shield", after the sheen of their scales.
It was once believed that the scarlet kingsnake intergraded with the Eastern milk snake, which produced a variation once named the Coastal Plains milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum temporalis), but this is no longer recognized as a legitimate taxon [REF].