The English name is a translation of the original French name given it by Jesuit missionaries in honor of their founder St. Ignatius of Loyola.

The island is clearly depicted on the 1669 map "Lac Tracy ou Superieur avec les dependances de la Mission du Saint Esprit" attributed to Claude-Jean Allouez and Jacques Marquette.

[2] Nipigon Strait separates it from the large Black Bay peninsula.

The island is about 20 km (12 mi) from the nearest community, Red Rock, Ontario.

St. Ignace Island has incredible seasonal lag due to maritime influences.