This peak on the continental divide north-east of Mount Robson was “named Ptarmigan Mountain by Coleman, from the fact that the alplands on the west slopes are swarming with that species of grouse,” according to Arthur Oliver Wheeler. Arthur Philomen Coleman explored in the region in1908.

Because of the duplication of the name Ptarmigan, Coleman’s choice was dropped in favour of Titkana Peak. The feature is identified as “Titkana” in the 1928 edition of Place Names of Alberta, apparently the indigenous Stoney word for “bird.”