Adopted 7 June 1927 on 92I/SE, as labelled on BC Lands map of British Columbia, 1884 et seq, and on Dominion Sectional sheet 111, Kamloops, 1916, and on BC map 1G, 1916.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

Shown as "Bonepates River" [sic] on "sketch of Thompson's River District", 1827, by Archibald McDonald, HBC, which map also shows another "River Bonapate" [sic] entering the Okanagan River south of the 49th parallel. Both may be named after the great Napoleon Bonaparte, who died in 1821. Three Sandwhich Islanders nicknamed Bonaparte, Caesar and Washington were employed by the North West Company in 1814, but in menial capacities, and it is unlikely that the rivers were named after one of them.

Source: Provincial Archives of BC "Place Names File" compiled 1945-1950 by A.G. Harvey from various sources, with subsequent additions

"Since this is mentioned by name as early as 1828, it would seem that the river was named directly after the great Napoleon Bonaparte (176901821) rather than some Kanada labourer who is know to have been nicknamed Napoleon."

Source: Akrigg, Helen B. and Akrigg, G.P.V; "1001 British Columbia Place Names"; Discovery Press, Vancouver 1969, 1970, 1973.

Identified as "Riviere de Bonaparte" in Alexander Caulfield Anderson's journal (Saturday, 16 May 1846), and as "Bonaparte's River" in Anderson's official report of his explorations, 25 May 1846. Not named on John Arrowsmith's 1859 Map of the Provinces of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Labelled "Bonaparte River" on 1859 Sketch of part of British Columbia, by Lieut. Mayne, RN. Mis-spelled "Bonapate River" on Trutch's 1871 map of British Columbia.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

Shuswap name is "Kluhtows, meaning "gravelly river"

Source: Provincial Archives of BC "Place Names File" compiled 1945-1950 by A.G. Harvey from various sources, with subsequent additions