Until 1896, the name of the municipality was Bodø landdistrikt, meaning "the rural district of Bodø". The town of Bodø is named after the old Bodøgård farm meaning "the farm (gård) of Bodø".
Prior to 1896, the municipality was designated as Bodø's rural region, highlighting its agricultural roots. The town of Bodø derives its name from the historic farmstead of Bodøgård, which symbolizes a strong connection to the local heritage.