ðə ɹˈiːf wʌz nˈeɪmd baɪ kˈæptɪn fˈɪlɪp pˈɑːɹkɚ kˈɪŋ ˈæftɚ ðə ʃˈɪp ˌeɪtʃˌɛmˈɛs ɪmpˈɪɹijˌuːs fɹʌm wˈɪtʃ ɪt wʌz sˈaɪɾᵻd baɪ kˈæptɪn ɹˈoʊli ɪn wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd.
The reef was named by Captain Phillip Parker King after the ship (HMS Imperieuse) from which it was sighted by Captain Rowley in 1800.