The mountain served as the target for the cannons of HMS Trincomalee of the Royal Navy's Pacific Squadron when it signalled its arrival in Cowichan Bay. Early maps by the British identified the area as Tzohailim Hill (1855) and Tzohailin Hill (1864). In 1911, the Geographical Names Board of Canada adopted Tzuhalem Mountain. In 1950, the form of name changed to Mount Tzuhalem until the spelling was altered to Mount Tzouhalem in 2000 to align with the local, traditional spelling supported by the Cowichan Tribes band government.