The island is named after Jean Auriat who was a Canadian soldier in the North Shore New Brunswick Regiment during World War II.

He was killed in action by shrapnel on 7 June 1944 while attacking a German radar station in Douvres, France.

On 6 June 1944, Jean and Maurice Auriat landed on Juno Beach with fellow Canadians.

The following day, their regiment launched an attack on the a German radar station in Douvres, Normandy.

Jean is buried in the Douvres war cemetery with ten other Canadians.