It is believed the name 'Nawabganj' derives from its status as a favourite hunting ground of the Nawabs of Bengal.

[1] One claims that in a nearby village, a beautiful girl named Champarani or Champabai lived who was a favourite of the Nawabs.

Another claims that the region was Champak, the capital of King Lakhindra, who was loved by Behula in the Manasamangal Kāvya.

[3]: 388–394 According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Chapai Nawabganj city had 39,422 households and a population of 180,731.

Chapai Nawabganj had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 60.84%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1101 females per 1000 males.