The name Whernside means hillside where millstones were got (quern meaning millstone). The upper part of the hill is composed of millstone grit, and there were once quarries on the Wharfedale side. According to one source the name was originally applied to the hillside on the Wharfedale side, and then extended to the whole hill as seen from Wharfedale. The hill as seen from Nidderdale was known as Blackfell. The addition of Great was first recorded in 1771, apparently to distinguish the hill from Little Whernside.