Maiabalaena nesbittae was named by Peredo et al. (2018). Its type specimen is USNM 314627, a partial skeleton (skull (including periotics) and partial skeleton), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Port of Toledo Building, which is in a Rupelian marine mudstone in the Alsea Formation of Oregon. It is the type species of Maiabalaena.