The name was later restricted on maps to the small bay described, since a name for the large embayment was not considered useful. The South Georgia Survey, 1951–52, reported that the name Iris Bay for the same feature is well established in use among the whalers and sealers in South Georgia, and that the name Sandwich Bay is unknown locally, so Iris Bay was approved to conform with local usage.
The name was subsequently limited to the smaller bay, as a larger name for the bay was considered unnecessary. The South Georgia Survey of 1951-52 found that Iris Bay is widely accepted by whalers and sealers in the area, whereas Sandwich Bay is unknown locally, resulting in the approval of Iris Bay to match local terminology.