| Language of origin | English language |
| Feature Type: | District Municipality (1) - A populated place with legally defined boundaries, incorporated as a district municipality under the provincial Municipal Act. |
| Status: | Official |
| Name Authority: | BC Geographical Names Office |
| Relative Location: | Entrance to Howe Sound, just W of West Vancouver, New Westminster Land District |
| Latitude-Longitude: | 49°22'46"N, 123°20'39"W at the approximate location of the Municipal Hall. |
| Datum: | WGS84 |
| NTS Map: | 92G/6 |
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Origin Notes and History:
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Bowen Island (Post Office & Steamer Landing) adopted 7 December 1937 on 92G/6, as labelled on BC map 2B, 1914. Form of name changed to Bowen Island (Community) 15 December 1982 on 92 G/6. Incorporated as a District Municipality, to be known as Bowen Island Municipality, per Letters Patent: Order in Council 1160, 2 September 1999, effective 4 December 1999. Form of name confirmed as Bowen Island (District Municipality) 15 March 2000 on 92G/6. Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office |
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Bowen Island Post Office was opened 1 November 1894. See Bowen Island (island). Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office |
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The island was named in 1860 by Captain Richards, RN, after Rear Admiral James Bowen (1751-1835), master of HMS Queen Charlotte, flagship of Admiral Earl Howe, at the battle of the "Glorious First of June", 1794, and who, for his valuable and exceptional services on the occasion of this memorable victory, was specially promoted to the rank of lieutenant.... 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) |