Seechelt Inlet adopted 1 November 1923 on 92G/12 as listed in 1923 Gazeteer and as labeled on Reference Map 2D "Powell Lake" (1923). Spelling change 5 April 1951 to Sechelt Inlet (V.2.50).

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

"The Sechelt First Nation now spells its name Shíshálh, after its language, Sháshíshálem, which is a branch of Salishan. Many variants of the name have been recorded over the years, including Seashelth, Seshal and Sicatl. The Sechelt people were the first aboriginal group in Canada to achieve self-government, in 1986. They live today mostly at Ch’átlich in the Sechelt Indian Government District, where Paul Durieu established a Roman Catholic Oblate mission in 1868; a large church and residential school were later erected. The non-Native community of Sechelt, which got its start in 1890s with Herbert Whitaker’s development of a hotel and store, is adjacent to Ch’átlich. Nearby Sechelt Creek and Sechelt Lake are also named after this First Nation group. Sechelt Inlet (or Álhtúlich in Sháshíshálem) is the site of several small provincial marine parks. The Sechelt Rapids in Skookumchuck Narrows can reach a peak of 14 knots (26km/h)." (p. 533).

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

Father Joseph Guinard, in "Less Nomes Indiens de Mon Payes" says Schelt means "sauter par dessus" (to jump over) (p. 161). It is also the name of the local Indigenous nation. The B.C. Ferry Authority says Sechelt "comes from an [Indigenous] word. 'shishatl' (jump over; step over)", referring to a log across the trail from the sea to the inlet.

The Indigenous name of the inlet was recorded as being Atltooleech (inside water).

Source: Canadian Geographical Names Database, Ottawa

"From 'Se-shalt', a local [Indigenous] village. It is said to mean "a place of shelter from the sea." (p. 153)

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