Who is mt mckinley named after

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: Mount McKinley was named after William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, in 1896 by explorer William A. Dickey. The mountain was officially renamed Denali in 2015 to reflect its traditional Koyukon Athabascan name.

Key Facts

Mount McKinley was renamed Denali in 2015 by the U.S. government
The name was changed to honor the indigenous Koyukon Athabascan people
William McKinley had no direct connection to Alaska
Explorer William A. Dickey named the peak in 1896 during a gold rush
Denali means 'the high one' or 'the great one' in Koyukon Athabascan

Overview

Mount McKinley, now officially known as Denali, is the highest peak in North America, standing at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level. Located in south-central Alaska within Denali National Park, the mountain was originally called Denali by indigenous Alaskan peoples for centuries before European contact.

The name "Mount McKinley" was introduced in 1896 by a gold prospector and explorer named William A. Dickey, who sought to honor then-presidential candidate William McKinley. Despite McKinley having no ties to Alaska, the name gained federal recognition in 1917 and remained official for nearly a century.

Indigenous name: The Koyukon Athabascan people historically called the mountain Denali, meaning 'the high one' or 'the great one', reflecting its towering presence.
First naming: In 1896, explorer William A. Dickey named the peak Mount McKinley during a gold prospecting expedition near the Tanana River.
Presidential honor: William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, elected in 1896 and assassinated in 1901, just six months into his second term.
Federal recognition: The U.S. federal government officially adopted the name Mount McKinley in 1917, despite ongoing opposition from Alaskan residents.
Renaming: On August 30, 2015, President Barack Obama's administration restored the name Denali through a Department of Interior order.

How It Works

The naming and renaming of geographic features in the U.S. involve federal, state, and indigenous input, governed by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The process includes petitions, reviews, and executive decisions, especially for nationally significant landmarks like Denali.

U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN): Established in 1892, the BGN standardizes place names across federal agencies and resolves naming disputes through a formal petition process.
State vs. federal authority: Alaska officially adopted Denali as the state name in 1975, but federal use of Mount McKinley continued until 2015 due to congressional resistance.
Indigenous advocacy: The Koyukon Athabascan people and other Alaska Native groups led decades-long efforts to restore the original name, emphasizing cultural respect and historical accuracy.
Political influence: Ohio congressmen repeatedly blocked renaming attempts, protecting the name of William McKinley, who was from Ohio, their home state.
Executive action: In 2015, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell used authority under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to rename the peak without congressional approval.
Public support: A 2015 Washington Post poll showed that 76% of Americans supported using Denali over Mount McKinley, reflecting shifting cultural attitudes.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key details between the names Mount McKinley and Denali:

Feature	Mount McKinley	Denali
Official Name Period	1917–2015	2015–present (federal); used locally since pre-colonial times
Origin of Name	Named after William McKinley, 25th U.S. President	From Koyukon Athabascan word meaning 'the high one'
Elevation	20,310 feet (6,190 m)	Same peak, same elevation
Location	Denali National Park, Alaska	Same location
Recognition	Federally recognized 1917–2015	State-recognized since 1975; federally restored in 2015

The table highlights how the mountain's physical attributes remained unchanged while its official name evolved due to cultural, political, and historical pressures. The 2015 renaming marked a broader national movement to recognize indigenous heritage and correct colonial-era naming practices.

Why It Matters

The renaming of Mount McKinley to Denali carries significant cultural, political, and symbolic weight, reflecting broader conversations about identity, history, and respect for Native communities. It underscores the importance of accurate historical representation in public geography.

Cultural reclamation: Restoring Denali affirms the sovereignty and heritage of Alaska Native peoples, particularly the Koyukon Athabascan.
Symbolic justice: The change corrects a historical oversight where a president with no Alaskan ties overshadowed centuries of indigenous naming.
Environmental identity: Denali National Park's name now aligns with the mountain, strengthening regional identity and tourism branding.
National precedent: The 2015 decision set a precedent for renaming other landmarks, such as Mount Doane in Yellowstone, also under review for indigenous restoration.
Educational impact: Textbooks and maps now reflect Denali, teaching students about indigenous languages and colonial naming legacies.
Global recognition: Denali appears in UNESCO documents and international atlases, reinforcing accurate global geographic standards.

The shift from Mount McKinley to Denali is more than a name change—it is a step toward reconciliation, historical accuracy, and respect for the original stewards of the land.