[2] The university was originally established as the Convent of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in 1868 by six members of the Sisters of the Holy Names, a teaching order from Quebec, Canada.

They were invited to Oakland by Father Michael King, pastor of Saint Mary's Church to establish a school for girls and to provide means to train future teachers.

It cited "rising operational costs, declining enrollment, and an increased need for institutional aid", particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic downturn.

[7][8][9] In 2023, it was reported that Holy Names University was facing dire financial problems and was in default on debt for its huge property holdings.

[9] Holy Names University's campus is located on a wooded, sixty-acre site in the East Oakland Hills about 2.5 miles southeast of the Montclair district.

[14] The first buildings constructed included Michael and Maureen Hester Administration, the Paul J. Cushing Library, the Tobin Gymnasium, and McLean Chapel.

The library provided the Holy Names community a full suite of electronic and traditional books and journals, as well as a wide range of gadgets and devices faculty and staff can check out.

The university was a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) from 2012–13 until 2022–23.

The Hawks previously competed in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1996–97 to 2011–12.