Ikaria in ancient times was also known as Makris (long) because of its longitude, Dolichi, Ichthyoessa – because of its abundance in fish (Icthys means fish), and Anemoessa – because of its strong winds (Anemos means wind).

Ikaria was first inhabited by Pelasgians in 7,000 BC. Around 750 BC the island was colonized by Greeks from Miletus.

In the 6th century BC Ikaria merged with Samos and became part of Polycrates’ sea empire. It was later conquered by the Persians until their crash in the Battle of Salamis, at which point it joined the Delian League.  During the Roman and Byzantine times the island suffered from pirate raids.  During the 14th century AD Ikaria was part of the Republic of Genoa at the Aegean until 1521, when it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire and remained part of it until July 17, 1912, when the Ikarian Revolution brought back independence. Ikaria remained an independent state for five months, until November 1912, when it got united with Greece.