Edmund McIlhenny came up with the brand name TABASCO^® as his second choice. Some scholars say it’s a Mexican Indian word that means "land where the soil is hot and humid." This certainly describes the climate of Avery Island that has proved perfect for growing his special variety of hot pepper. Other scholars have put forth that it actually means "place of coral or oyster shell".

McIlhenny originally wanted to call his concoction Petite Anse Sauce (after the Island which then was known as Isle Petite Anse). But when family members balked at the commercial use of the family Island’s name, he opted for the trademark TABASCO^®.