It was named by the US-ACAN for Arthur L. Kilby, who served as photographer with both operations.

It was first charted in February 1957 by a survey party led by Lt. R. C. Newcomb, USN, of the USS Glacier.

Recharted by ANARE in 1962, during a hydrographic survey of Newcomb Bay by d'A.

This article incorporates public domain material from "Kilby Island".

This article incorporates public domain material from "Kilby Reef".