Adopted 8 January 1929, as identified in the 1909 BC Gazetteer and as labelled on BC Lands' maps 2B, 1914, and 2D, 1923.

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

Spelled "Horse Shoe Bay" on Plan of Survey of Pre-emption & Purchase Claims situated on Gp 1, NWD (Legal Surveys Branch), dated May 1892.

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

Horseshoe Bay's original Squamish name is Ch'axá. This name refers to the sizzling sound created by the Herring when they used to spawn in this place. The Herring populations were once so abundant that their arrival during spawning season made it appear and sound like the ocean waters were boiling with their activity. These fish were an important food source for the Squamish Nation but they have almost completely disappeared from Howe Sound due to pollution and development.... Identified as Ch'axáý on Hwy 99 kiosk: Journeys begin and end here at the gateway to spectacular Howe Sound. It was here that two long-ago giants waged an epic battle with slingshots. Their weapons were transformed into huge boulders, still visible today in the stretch of ocean between K'ítl'alsm (Eagle Harbour) and Skíwitsut (Lighthouse Park). (December 2011 from: Cultural Journey Sea-to-Sky Corridor website, Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations)

Source: included with note