Kayentatherium means "Kayenta (Formation) Beast", and is named for the geological formation in which it was found. Kayentatherium is known from several specimens. It had a skull approximately 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in length. The species name honors paleontologist Samuel Welles, who worked with the University of California Museum of Paleontology in much of the pioneering work on the paleontology of the Kayenta Formation.