One theory says the early French voyageurs named the range les trois tétons ("the three nipples") after the breast-like shapes of its peaks.

The geological processes that led to the current composition of the oldest rocks in the Teton Range began about 2.5 billion years ago.

Other intrusive igneous rocks are noticeable as the black dikes of diabase, visible on the southwest face of Mount Moran and on the Grand Teton.

As recently as 2.1 million years ago the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff was deposited along the west slope of the north part of the range.

One reason the Teton Range is famous is because of the dramatic elevation profile visible from the eastern side, which rises sharply from 4,000 to 7,000 feet (1,200–2,100 m) above the valley floor.