Browns River adopted 10 July 1923 as labelled on BC map 2C, 1919 (Ottawa file OBC 0784). "Browns River (not Brown River)" re-approved in the 19th Report of the Geographic Board of Canada, 31 March 1924, and 12 December 1939 on 92F/11 and 7 October 1948 on 92F/11.

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

Named in 1864 after Robert Brown (1842 - 1895), leader of the first exploration journey across Vancouver Island. See Victoria Colonist, 13 July 1863, and Victoria Colonist 2 August 1864, et seq. See also "Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition", UBC Press, 1989, being Robert Brown's journal plus Northwest coast writings, and drawings by Frederick Whymper: "Botanist Robert Brown, a 21 year old Scotsman, arrived on Vancouver Island in 1863 for the purpose of collecting seeds, roots and plants for the Botanical Association of Edinburgh. When the opportunity arose in 1864 to head the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition, Brown eagerly accepted the position as its commander." (Journal....UBC Press, 1989)

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

Brown River received its name at the express desire of the members of his expedition in 1864.......

Source: Walbran, John T; British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906: their origin and history; Ottawa, 1909 (republished for the Vancouver Public Library by J.J. Douglas Ltd, Vancouver, 1971)

"Dr. Robert Brown wrote: 'The party insisted on naming the river after me....I hope you will not accuse me of egotism, if at the earnest solicitation of the expedition, I allow the seat of this rich coal field to bear the name of Brown's River.'......"

Source: Akrigg, Helen B. and Akrigg, G.P.V; British Columbia Place Names; Sono Nis Press, Victoria 1986 /or University of British Columbia Press 1997