Mount Everest Naming

Mount Everest's name honors Sir George Everest, a British surveyor who led the first detailed surveys of the Himalayas in the 19th century. Originally known by local names like "Sagarmatha" in Nepali and "Chomolungma" in Tibetan, the mountain was called "Peak XV" by Western explorers. In 1865, the Royal Geographical Society officially named it Mount Everest to recognize Sir George Everest’s contributions. The choice was controversial since local names existed for centuries. Today, both the name Mount Everest and its local names are used, celebrating its global significance and cultural heritage.