이명고개는 염양사가 있는 고개란 뜻으로 '염양고개'라고 불리었는데 나중에 이명고개로 되었다.
Imyeonggogae Pass was called Yeomyanggogae Pass, meaning that it is the pass where Yeomyangsa Temple is located, but later it became Imyeonggogae Pass.