First, it could be derived from koba (a basket used for ritual acts) and lima, the Tetum word for 'five'.

The combination is said to represent either the five mythical daughters of the Liurai (traditional title of a Timorese ruler) of Fohorem Nutetu,[4]: 5 [5] or five kingdoms consisting of Fatumea, Dakolo, Lookeu, Sisi and Maudemi.

[5][6] According to a second explanation, the English language name of the municipality is said to be a Portuguese approximation of the words kaua lima or portmanteau Kaualima, which means 'five crows' in Tetum.

According to that assertion, the Portuguese version may also be a "... form of cultural and mind de-colonization ..." [sic - colonization] of the local name.

The administrative posts of Cova Lima are Fatululic, Fatumean, Fohorem, Zumalai, Maucatar, Suai, and Tilomar.