The South Peak (3,110 m) is named for Hans Kaufmann (1874-1930), the younger of two Swiss brothers who were popular mountain guides. Hans Kaufmann completed twelve first ascents in the Rockies during the years 1901 to 1904. The North Peak (3,094 m) honors Christian Kaufmann (1872-1939) who completed 36 first ascents in the Canadian Rockies by making fifteen of those in 1901 and ten more in 1902. The two were half-brothers to Peter Kaufmann. The first ascent of Kaufmann Peaks was made in 1927 by D. Duncan, and guide Ernest Feuz. Recommended by James Outram in 1903, the mountain's name became official in 1920 by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.