The name is most likely a portmanteau of the word deko (凸, デコ; meaning convex) as a reference to its bump, and the pon in ponkan (ポンカン; one of the fruits that it is derived from) to create "dekopon" (デコポン).

[3] 'Dekopon' does not have an agricultural variety registration number (Nōrin Bangō)[4] because of its bump, which at the time of its development was considered to be unsightly, and failure to reduce acidity in the fruit.

[5] The fruits are usually grown in large greenhouses to keep them at a constant temperature, and are harvested from December to February (winter in Japan).

[10] Brazilian farmers have succeeded in adapting the variety to tropical to temperate climate in the highlands of São Paulo state.

[citation needed] In South Korea, dekopon is called hallabong (한라봉) after Hallasan, the mountain located on Jeju Island where it is primarily grown.

The rights to the sterilized budwood were purchased in 2005 by the Griffith family, owners of the nursery TreeSource and packing facility Suntreat.