Stuart Lake adopted 25 June 1906 (Ottawa file OBF 0024), not "Stewart Lake" as spelled 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

Named after John Stuart, North West Company, who accompanied Simon Fraser when he ascended the river in 1806 and established a trading post at the lake. In 1809 Stuart succeeded Fraser in the command of the New Caledonia district. He became a partner in the North West Company in 1813 and, after the merger of 1821, a Chief Factor in the Hudson's Bay Company. According to Father Morice, Stuart "seems to have been one of those well-meaning men who, unconscious of their own idiosyncrasies, make life a burden to others". Stuart retired to Scotland and died there in 1847.

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

The traditional name is Nak'al Bun. ("Central Carrier Country" © Carrier Linguistic Committee, Fort St. James, 1974).

Source: included with note