McDowall State School, which opened in January 1975, was named before the suburb itself. It was named in honour of Colonel John McDowall, who was a distinguished early-settler of the area. As the population grew, the Brisbane City Council considered naming the suburb Annand after Colonel Frederick Annand. This was disapproved of by local residents, who wanted the suburb to be named after the newly opened school. The name "McDowall" was therefore accepted for the area by the Place Names Board of Queensland in 1975.