This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically those transferring one-carbon group methyltransferases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is S-adenosyl-L-methionine:tRNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase. Other names in common use include transfer ribonucleate cytosine 5-methyltransferase, and transfer RNA cytosine 5-methyltransferase.