Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, Canada, was not always known by this name. Before it was named Victoria, the city had different names associated with its history and the Indigenous peoples who inhabited the land.
The Original Name: Camosack
Before the arrival of European settlers, the area now known as Victoria was home to Indigenous peoples of the Coast Salish First Nations, specifically the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. They referred to the area as Camosack which means “rush of water” in the Lekwungen language.
James Cook’s Encounter
In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook sailed along the west coast of Vancouver Island and encountered the area. He charted the coastline and named the landmarks he encountered. Cook named the area where Victoria now stands as “Cape Mudge” after a friend, giving no indication of the Indigenous name associated with the region. This initial encounter by Cook marked the beginning of European influence in the area.
Hudson’s Bay Company Establishes Fort Victoria
In the early 19th century, the Hudson’s Bay Company established a fur trading post in the area, selecting a location near the present-day Inner Harbour. The trading post was named “Fort Victoria” in honor of Queen Victoria, who was the reigning monarch of Great Britain at the time. The name Victoria was chosen to align with the certain prestige associated with the British monarchy.
The Incorporation as Victoria
In 1862, the townsite of Fort Victoria officially incorporated as a city and took on the name “Victoria.” The name change from Fort Victoria to Victoria is believed to have been a deliberate decision to shed the association with the Hudson’s Bay Company’s fort and establish a unique and independent identity.
Victoria, once known as Camosack, went through various name changes before settling on its current name. The rich history and cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited the area was recognized in the original name. However, with the arrival of European settlers and the establishment of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s fort, the name Victoria was chosen to signify a connection to the British monarchy. Today, Victoria is a diverse and vibrant city that embraces its multicultural heritage while acknowledging its past.