The name was proposed by cartographer Peter F. Bermel and geologist Dr. Arthur B. Ford, co-leaders of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Thiel Mountains party, 1960–61, for Bjørn G. Andersen, Norwegian professor of geology and glaciology at the University of Oslo, who was a member of the 1960–61 and 1961–62 USGS field parties to the Thiel Mountains.
William and George, Jr. presented their findings to the National Academy of Sciences in the U.S. Their study and methods were considered a "breakthrough" in the new field of glaciology.
Stanisław Baranowski (25 March 1935 – 27 August 1978) was a Polish glaciologist and leader or member of a number of scientific expeditions to Spitsbergen and Antarctica.