Adopted 6 May 1946 on 92M/13 and Hydrographic Services Chart #3784, "Kwakshua Channel to Spider Island and Namu Harbour," as established in 1930 Gazetteer of Canada and BC Lands Map 2E, "Bella Coola" (1924) and as likely appears on Reference Map 13 "Rivers Inlets and Fitshugh Sound" (date not cited). Named in association with Namu Harbour, Namu River, and Namu (Locality).

Source: BC place name cards & correspondence, and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff, file H.1.46.

"Namu is a Heiltsuk First Nation word meaning “place of high winds,” referring especially to the SE blasts that sweep over the 914-m Namu Range and give nearby Whirlwind Bay its name. Archeological excavations have revealed that Namu was used by [Indignous] people as a habitation site, at least seasonally, for 11,000 years or more and is this one of the longest continually occupied places in Canada. In 1893, Robert Draney built cannery at this spot and added a sawmill in 1911. The cannery was rebuilt and changed hands several times, eventually becoming one of the largest and most efficient fish-processing complexes on the BC coast... Namu Lk and Namu R derive their names from the community and harbour." (p. 417)

Source: Scott, Andrew; "The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names"; Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, 2009.

Namu is a Heiltsuk word meaning “place of high winds” and/or “closely alongside.”

Source: Thorburn, Mark; "British Columbia Place Names"; Dragon Hill Publishing Ltd., 2009, page 207.