Many voiced their opinion to the school board that naming it  Elgin (West) HS would better rival the original Elgin HS located on the east side of the Fox River in the City of Elgin (thus Elgin East). The Larkin name ultimately prevailed.
There was debate about whether to rename the school, with some advocating for a name that would better reflect its location and competition with another Elgin High School. Ultimately, the Larkin name prevailed.