Lake Superior: The 'Upper Lake' Named by French Explorers

The name “Superior” comes from the French Lac Supérieur, meaning “Upper Lake.”

Why “Upper”?

• It is the highest in elevation of the five Great Lakes (183 m / 600 ft above sea level).
• It is the farthest upstream in the Great Lakes drainage system.
• It is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world (82,100 km²).

French voyageurs and missionaries in the 17th century applied the name, and it stuck.