Aydıncık has also been called "Celenderis", "Gilindire", Kelenderis (Κελενδερίς in ancient Greek). In 1228 Celenderis castle was captured from the Armenians by the Ottomans. The coast was settled by Turkish peoples. The town's name changed to Gilindere. It continued to be an important port between Anatolia and Cyprus until the beginning of the 20th century. It was renamed Aydıncık in 1965.