Adopted 3 April 1934 on C.327, as labelled on British Admiralty Chart 592, 1863 et seq.

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

"Named in 1862 by Captain Richards, HMS Hecate, after the schooner-rigged steamer Diana, Captain John Henderson. Built in Benicia, California about 1860 and having been purchased by Stamp & Company for the use of the [Alberni Sawmill Company] arrived at Victoria, via Alberni, 2 January 1862. (See Victoria Colonist 3 January 1862.) The Diana was sold by the Mill Company in 1863 to Captain Thomas Wright, and under his command was engaged from this date for several years carrying the mails, etc. between Victoria, San Juan Island and the mainland, having a contract with the United States government for this duty. (see Victoria Colonist 23 September 1868.) Oldtimers used to describe the Diana as the 'largest small steamer,' or the 'smallest large steamer' that ever ran in these waters."

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)

"....she was brought from China to San Francisco as a launch for the Pacific Mail Company, and about this time, she was considerably lengthened. On December 27, 1860, she exploded off the Vallejo Street wharf, killing two crew members. In 1862, she was sold to Captain Stamp, and taken to British Columbia. He was always afraid of her, so he soon removed the machinery and sold the hull to Captain Tom Wright. He repowered her and fitted her for carrying mail between San Juan Island and the mainland, and conveying officers and troops about the "Sound", under charter to the United States Government." [source of this information not attributed]

Source: Canadian Geographical Names Database, Ottawa