Why Is It Called Mount Desert Island?

The Origins of One of Maine’s Most Iconic Names

Mount Desert Island, located off the coast of Maine, is known today for its breathtaking landscapes, dramatic coastal cliffs, Acadia National Park, and quaint seaside villages like Bar Harbor. But many first-time visitors are puzzled by its name. Why is this lush, forested island — dotted with granite mountains and surrounded by Atlantic waters — called “Mount Desert”? Is it really a desert? The answer lies in its fascinating history of exploration and language, dating back to the early 17th century.

The Name’s French Origin: “Isles des Monts Déserts”

The name “Mount Desert Island” originates from the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who sailed along the northeastern coast of North America in 1604. As he approached the island and saw its peaks rising starkly from the sea, he was struck by their barren appearance. The tops of the mountains appeared treeless, bare, and rocky — in contrast to the surrounding greenery and forests. He described the island as:

“The island is very high and notched in places, so that we saw it from the sea as a range of bare mountains.”

He gave it the name “Isles des Monts Déserts”, which translates to “island of the barren mountains” in English.

It’s important to note that the word “désert” in French did not mean a sandy, arid desert like the Sahara. Instead, it meant “deserted” or “bare”, used to describe land that was uninhabited or stripped of vegetation. In Champlain’s usage, “Monts Déserts” referred to the bald, rocky mountain tops that made the island’s profile so distinctive.

From “Monts Déserts” to “Mount Desert Island”

As English colonists began to settle in New England over the following century, the French name underwent anglicization. “Isles des Monts Déserts” gradually became “Mount Desert Island” — with the English interpretation giving rise to some confusion. While “mount” clearly refers to the island’s mountainous terrain, the word “desert” in English usually refers to hot, dry regions, which does not reflect the island’s true nature.

Locally, the name “Mount Desert Island” is most often pronounced as “Mount Dessert Island”, rhyming with “insert,” not “convert.” This traditional pronunciation preserves the French roots more accurately than the modern English meaning.

Geological and Natural Landscape

The reason Champlain perceived the mountains as “barren” is rooted in the island’s geology and glacial history. The island’s rugged landscape was carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age. As these glaciers receded around 18,000 years ago, they scraped away the soil on higher elevations, leaving behind exposed granite peaks.

The result was a series of bare mountain tops — including Cadillac Mountain, the tallest peak on the eastern seaboard of the United States. While the lower slopes became forested over time, many of the higher elevations remained rocky and sparsely vegetated, especially when seen from the sea.

Cultural Significance Over the Centuries

The name “Mount Desert Island” carries not only historical and linguistic significance but also cultural depth. For the Wabanaki people, the island (known as Pemetic, meaning “range of mountains”) was a seasonal home long before Champlain’s arrival. They fished, hunted, and gathered shellfish along its shores, and their descendants continue to live in the region today.

As the island became a hub of tourism and summer retreat in the 19th and 20th centuries, the unique name added to its mystique. Today, Mount Desert Island is synonymous with Acadia National Park, and its dramatic scenery draws millions of visitors each year.

Conclusion: A Name Carved by History and Nature

Mount Desert Island is a name rich in linguistic history and shaped by the impressions of early European explorers. Though it may sound like a contradiction to modern ears — a “desert” full of green forests and cool ocean breezes — the name is a poetic reflection of its bald mountain peaks, as seen by Champlain over 400 years ago.

Understanding the true meaning behind the name enhances one’s appreciation of the island’s rugged beauty, historical legacy, and the layers of culture that make it one of the most beloved natural treasures in America.