The name Udanoceratops is derived from the Udan-Sayr region in Mongolia, where the holotype specimen was discovered, and the Greek words “ceras” (κέρας) meaning “horn” and “ops” (ωψ) meaning “face”. This reflects both the geographic origin of the dinosaur and its classification as a ceratopsian, a group of horned dinosaurs.
The full species name, Udanoceratops tschizhovi, honors D. O. Tschizhov, a colleague of the paleontologist Sergei Kurzanov who described the genus in 1992. Udanoceratops is notable for being the largest known leptoceratopsid, with a robust skull and a short frill, although it lacked the prominent horns seen in some other ceratopsians. Its name emphasizes the characteristic horned face typical of ceratopsians, even though its actual horns were small or absent. Udanoceratops was the largest known leptoceratopsid, estimated at about 4 meters (13 feet) long and weighing around 700 kilograms (1,500 pounds).

Udanoceratops stood out among leptoceratopsids due to its large, robust skull, which measured approximately 60–70 cm (24–28 inches) in length, far deeper and stronger than that of other related genera like Montanoceratops. Its lower jaw was particularly powerful, capable of exerting a strong bite, and its teeth were adapted for slicing plant material. The frill at the back of its skull was relatively short compared to other leptoceratopsids, and it lacked prominent horns over the eyes or nose.