The origin of the name "Home Hill" is much disputed. The Queensland Government claims it was named after Home Hill, a hilltop defended by the British Army in the Battle of Inkerman in the Crimean War. However it has also been claimed that it was named after Colonel Home who lived in the district and had fought in the Crimea. Another claim is that the name was originally "Holme Hill" which was corrupted into "Home Hill", possibly by a signwriter painting the name at the railway station"." A newspaper report in September 1912 calls the proposed town "Holme Hill" but also makes the connection with the Battle of Inkerman. There are also numerous early references to the town as "Holm Hill". Certainly the "Hill" part of the name does not relate to the local geography which is quite flat with the nearest hill is about away.