Adopted in 1921. "Bonilla Point (not Bonila)" identified in the 17th Report of the Geographic Board of Canada, 1 April 1919 to 31 March 1921.

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

So-named by Sub. Lieutenant Quimper in 1790 (17th Report, GBC).

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

Named Punto Bonilla (meaning high or bold point) by the Spaniards, from the appearance of the land (BC name card). The meaning is not "high" but "of some importance" or "of good size" according to 24 June 1921 letter from Geographic Board of Canada.

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

The point now known as Carmanah was named "Bonilla" by Narvaez in 1789; in 1847 Captain Kellett retained this name for the same feature, but 12 years later Captain Richard placed the name "Bonilla" on the point to the SE of the Carmanah river, at which location it has become established (18 December 1933 advice from Captain H.D. Parizeau, Canadian Hydrographic Service).
See also Walbran.

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

Carmanah point is evidently the Bonilla point of Quimper, both from the appearance of the land and the position given on his chart....the name (Bonilla) was misapplied by the Admiralty surveyors, in 1846, to the next point eastward, which is low land with shallow water extending some distance seaward.

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)