The Gåsefjord was named in 1891 by Carl Ryder during his 1891–92 East Greenland Expedition.

Other names given by former surveyors were Sydfjorden, by Ragnvald Knudsen, and Taagefjord by Nikolaj Hartz.

[2] The Greenlandic name Nertivit Kangersivat is being used in present-day maps, although originally the fjord was known as Oqqummut Kangertiva.

The northern branch is the Fonfjord (Fønfjord) and the southern is the much wider mouth of the Gaasefjord.

The southern shore of Gaasefjord is lined by basalt cliffs that continue eastward.