this is a troubling namespace collision

If it helps you can separate them as East Coast vs. West Coast swing. But East Coast is usually just called swing because it came first.

Also, in case you're ever around this crowd; swing dancers don't usual consider ECS a "real" swing dance. It's like the splenda of the swing world and typically done along with Jive by "Ballroom Dancers". It (rightly) gets some derision.

Not quite. WCS has origins in Tommy Two Step and "Hollywood" swing. East Coast Swing used to be called Jitterbug, is the basis of 90's NeoSwing, and was created by Arthur Murray to 'de-black' Lindy Hop for White people (true story). WCS arguably pre-dates ECS

It used to be taught to help "hook" new dancers, but we'd just have to end up breaking all the ECS habits to get them dancing Lindy Hop. Timing, rhythm, intent, movements, all kinda run "counter" to what the other swing dances do.

Not saying that they aren't related just that they aren't exactly the same. Tempo is the biggest difference.

they look pretty different from what i can tell not to mention the musical stylings associated with them

It's just kind of like classic ballet and contemporary ballet. A newer version inspired by the original.

*classical