The origin of the name "Grebe" is uncertain. Some researchers suggest "grebe" is possibly derived from the French griabe meaning "sea mew". Ehrlich, Dobkin, and Wheye, in their 1988 publication "The Birder's Handbook", write "No one is sure of the origin of the name grebe. It may come from the Breton work krib, for 'crest'."

The Western Grebe was discovered by Lewis and Clark in 1805 during their exploration along the Columbia River. Lewis and Clark referred to the Western Grebe as a Loon and first spotted the bird near The Dalles, Oregon. Captain William Clark wrote about the Western Grebe on March 7, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop, Oregon: "... There are two Species of Loons. 1st the Speckled loon [Pacific Loon] found on every part of the rivers of this quarter, they are the Same Size Colour and form with those of the Ohio, and atlantic coasts.    the 2d Species we first met with at the great falls of the Columbia and from thence down [Western Grebe].    this bird is not more than half the Size of the Speckled loon, it's neck is long, Slender and white in front. the colour of the body and back of the neck and hear are of a dun or ash Colour, the breast and belly are white.    the back is like that of the Speckled loon, and like them it cannot fly, but flutters along on the top of the water or Dives for Security when pursued. ..." S.F. Baird, obviously not knowing about Lewis and Clark's bird being a Western Grebe, wrote in 1884 in his "The Water Birds of North America": "... This large and conspicuous species was first made known in the "Report of the Pacific Railroad Explorations" [1858], from specimens collected by Drs. Kennerly, Cooper, and Suckley, at Bodega, Cal., in Shoalwater Bay, Fort Steilacoom, and on Puget Sound. Since that time this bird has been ascertained to have an extended distribution from the Pacific coast of Southern California to Shoal Lake, in the Fur Regions. ...".