The name "Mutiara" means "pearl" in the Indonesian language. It was named by the first Indonesian president Sukarno. This name was given by President Sukarno when visiting Palu on October 10, 1957. Sukarno then asked the name of this airfield to Rajawali Pusadan, the Regent of Donggala Regency at that time. At that time, the airfield was named Masovu which in Kaili language means "Dusty Land". The reason was when Sukarno was landing in Palu, which was still within the Donggala Regency, he saw the area glistening like a pearl.