Ganong gives the origin of the island's name as Mun-aa-nook', his transcription of the locative form of the Passamaquoddy word for island, combined with the French adjective grand used on some early French maps of the area.

[5] The hyphen was dropped from the name in 1850[6] and appurtenances was clarified in 1877,[7] implicitly adding Machias Seal Island to the parish.

[2][8][9] The village of Grand Manan was formed in 1995[10] and includes all of the parish except White Head Island.

[8][9][16] all communities except White Head are part of the village of Grand Manan Bodies of water[b] within the parish.

[8][9][16][17][18] Population totals do not include the village of Grand Manan 44°40′58″N 66°47′17″W / 44.682813°N 66.787949°W / 44.682813; -66.787949 (Campobello Parish, New Brunswick)