Because Drygalski Island was thought to be "Drygalski's High Land", charted by Professor Erich von Drygalski of the German Antarctic Expedition (1901-1903) in 1902, Drygalski's name was given by Sir Douglas Mawson to the island.
Como se pensaba que a Illa Drygalski era a "Terra Alta de Drygalski", trazada polo Profesor Erich von Drygalski da Expedición Antártica Alemá (1901-1903) en 1902, o nome de Drygalski foi outorgado por Sir Douglas Mawson á illa.