Cratoelcana is a type of ensiferan - the subgroup including bush crickets, which are sometimes called long-horned grasshoppers, also field and cave crickets, and katydids. The very long 'horns' referred to are, in fact, antennae or feelers. The genus name refers to the Crato Formation and also to the primitive cricket family Elcanidae, which is now extinct. The genus name refers to the Crato Formation and also to the primitive cricket family Elcanidae, which is now extinct.