There are a number of theories about the original of the name "Pullenvale". One theory from a 1920s newspaper is that it is named after early timbergetter, George Pullen; however, no land records have been found to confirm this. Given that the local creek is known as "Pullen Pullen" Creek, some people believe the repetition suggests a word from one of the Australian Aboriginal languages possibly meaning "to die" (or "not to die") or "fighting" (or "fighting ground"). Another theory is that the Pullen Pullen name was originally Bullen Bullen, an Aboriginal word meaning "lonely place". In support of the "fighting" theory, there is an 1850 newspaper account: