She was named Mooltan after the city of Multan in the Punjab, and an earlier "RMS Mooltan (1905–1917)", that was lost to enemy action in 1917, which was in turn named after a still earlier "SS Mooltan (1861–1884)", a Peninsular and Oriental Company's screw steamer whose maiden voyage was from Southampton in 1861. This ship was withdrawn from service in 1874 and laid up in London. In 1880, she was sold to Messrs Elles & Co of Liverpool, and again to J. J. Wallace of London.
She was named Mooltan after the city of Multan in Punjab; an earlier "RMS Mooltan (1905–1917)", which had been lost due to enemy action in 1917, bore a name similar to that of a still older "SS Mooltan (1861–1884)", a Peninsular and Oriental Company's screw steamer whose maiden voyage began from Southampton in 1861. This ship was withdrawn from service in 1874 and laid up in London. In 1880, she was sold to Messrs Elles & Co of Liverpool, and then again to J. J. Wallace of London.