Unlike many other lunar features named by the Apollo astronauts, the name of the mountain is not formally recognized by the International Astronomical Union. However, Duke Island and other informal features such as nearby Boot Hill or Mount Marilyn (within Montes Secchi) were significant landmarks used by the astronauts for navigation to the first landing site. Duke refers to astronaut Charlie Duke, who was CAPCOM during the Apollo 11 landing and lunar module pilot of Apollo 16.