The name Akhalgori is the original historical name of the town used by the Georgians and officials, whereas Leningor is the name given to the city in the Soviet era and used by the South Ossetians.

The town is situated on the banks of the River Ksani, height above sea level — 800 m. The village of Akhalgori was first mentioned in the 18th century by Prince Vakhushti of Kartli in his work The Geographic Description of Georgia.

During the Soviet era it was part of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast and was called Leningori (Ленингори; ლენინგორი) after Vladimir Lenin.

[7] Historically, Akhalgori had been a predominantly Armenian settlement, they accounted for 90% of the population in 1886 and remained the largest ethnic group until the 1960s.

[8][9][10] Akhalgori was home to the Lomisi brewery, owned by the Turkish company Efes Beverage Group, which was the primary employer in the town.