Since 1840, when Hesselbach used the inferior epigastric vessels as the defining boundary between indirect and direct hernias, surgeons have always tried to classify the inguinal hernias. This first classification persisted for years; nowadays, the interest in a more accurate and scientific classification of abdominal wall hernias is increasing. Defect size, location, patient comorbidities, the presence of contamination, acuity of the patient’s presentation, necessity for an ostomy, and history of prior repairs, with or without a prosthesis, all weigh into the ultimate repair approach. Nevertheless, the many surgical approaches (open, laparo-endoscopic, and robotic), the numerous techniques, and prosthetic choices with different possible placement (underlay, onlay, inlay, and sublay reinforcement) do nothing to simplify the matter. Definitions for wound morbidity have only recently been defined and begun to penetrate the literature. Recurrence, which many would classify as a failure, can be convoluted by bulging or “pseudorecurrence” in the absence of a true fascial defect, while a true recurrence in an asymptomatic patient with significant improvement in quality of life can be a clinical achievement in the eyes of the surgeon. The general opinion is that one standardized system must be adopted, but all these variables make the drafting of a classification a very complex task, considering the necessity of a standardization of an “everyday common language” about the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal wall hernias. In 2018, the HerniaSurge Group published the “International Guidelines for Groin Hernia Management” (HerniaSurge Group, Hernia 22(1):1–165, 2018), endorsed by all five continental hernia societies, the International Endo Hernia Society, and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery. In this guideline, 136 statements and 88 recommendations were produced with the aim to improve patient outcomes, specifically to decrease recurrence rates and reduce chronic pain, the most frequent problems following groin hernia repair. In order to adequately assess technique in a controlled fashion, the hernia, patient, and wound characteristics must be summarized in an organized way to allow standard inclusion and exclusion criteria. Here, we review and summarize previous attempts to address this disparity.