Getting the directly in correct format is often the easiest option (like Jim did show). You can also convert the list for example by using Transform Each and << Get Name.
Names Default To Here(1);
dt = New Table("Untitled",
Add Rows(0),
Compress File When Saved(1),
New Column("Column 1", Numeric, "Continuous", Format("Best", 12), Set Values([])),
New Column("Y (%)", Numeric, "Continuous", Format("Best", 12), Set Values([])),
New Column("Quotes \!":name\!"", Numeric, "Continuous", Format("Best", 12), Set Values([])),
New Column("group", Numeric, "Continuous", Format("Best", 12), Set Values([]))
);
col_names = {:Column 1, :"Y (%)"n, :"Quotes \!":name\!""n, :group};
col_names_str = Transform Each({col_name}, col_names, col_name << get name);
-Jarmo