The Krenitzins were probably named by Captain Tebenkov in 1852 for Captain Lt. Peter Kuzmich Krenitzin (or Krenitsyn) who, with Lt. M. D. Levashev explored and mapped over 30 islands in the Aleutians 1768–69. Captain Tebenkov spelled the name "Ostrova Krinitsyna," which translates to Krenitzin Islands.