During the period of Russian rule in Abkhazia up to 1866, Abzhua was called "Abzhuiskiy district", in 1868-1883 - "Kodori district", in 1919-1930 - "Kodori district".
The name of the region, Abzhua, changed during Russian rule in Abkhazia. It went through different designations: "Abzhuiskiy district", "Kodori district", and finally "Kodori district" again.