Jille Timuga Woreda derives its name from five of the area’s early inhabitants, Jille and Suba Timuga. According to stories from elders, both “Jille” and “Timuga” were the names of Oromo elders who once lived in the woreda.

Various written sources, records, and legends indicate that the district began to be known by this name during the establishment of districts and zones under the Derg regime. During that period, the Efrata and Timuga districts in the North Shewa region were collectively known as the Efrata and Jille districts.

Jille Timuga District gained its current independent name at the beginning of 1986 E.C., when it separated from the Efrata and Jille Timuga District and was established with Senbete

 as its capital city. It is also reported that in 1987 E.C., when the Oromo Nation Administration Zone was established independently, the district was renamed Artuma Jille after merging with Artuma Fursi District—a status that lasted until 1993 E.C.

The district’s name continued to change during different periods and administrative conditions until the beginning of 1993 E.C., when it separated from Artuma Jille District and became the independent Jille Timuga District known today.