As there appeared to be several different local names, Waugh chose to name the mountain after his predecessor in the post, Sir George Everest, despite Everest's objections.
Ndërsa duket se kishte disa emra të ndryshëm lokalë, Waugh zgjodhi emrin e malit pasi paraardhësi i tij në post, Sir George Everest, pavarësisht kundërshtimeve të George Everest.