Adopted 7 March 1933 on Geological Survey sheet 278A, Prince Rupert, as labelled on BC map 1H, 1917, and as identified in the 1930 BC Gazetteer. Confirmed 3 April 1952 on 103J.

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

"Dixon Entrance is the north approach from the Pacific Ocean to the inner channels of British Columbia and the south approach to [the channels] of southeast Alaska. It is entered between Langara Island and Cape Muzon, 27 miles NNE, and extends 75 miles east to the mouth of Portland Inlet." (Sailing Directions: British Columbia Coast (North Portion), vol 2, ed. 12, 1991, published by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.)

Source: included with note

Named in 1788 by Sir Joseph Banks, after Captain George Dixon; Captain Dixon, whose vessel was the "Queen Charlotte," was on this coast in 1787 under command of Captain Portlock, whose vessel was the "King George".

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

"When I laid my manuscript before Sir Joseph Banks for his approbation, I, at the same time requested him to name such places as I had not filled up, and he did me the honour to insert mine in the place you find it on the chart..." (additional biographical information in Walbran, also Dixon's naming of the Queen Charlotte Islands for his vessel, challenged by Captain Meares, etc.)

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)