The mountain's name was proposed in 1919 by Arthur Oliver Wheeler to commemorate the hamlet of St. Julien, Belgium, where Canadian troops gallantly fought the Battle of St. Julien in 1915 during World War I. The battle was the first mass use by Germany of poison gas on the Western Front. It also marked the first time a former colonial force (the 1st Canadian Division) defeated a European power (the German Empire) in Europe. The name was officially adopted in 1920 when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The first ascent of the mountain was made in 1930 by D. Duncan and A. F. Megrew.