The Slovene common noun literally means 'little peak', a diminutive form of the word 'peak'. The name originally referred to Mount Vršič (), located about east of the Vršič Pass. The name was not applied to the pass until 1911. The name of the peak was first attested in written sources as Werschez in 1763-87. Locally, the pass is known as (first attested in 1763-87 as Muschizach or Mushizhach). The Italian name of the pass was Moistrocca.