Kumpha กุมภ[า] is from Sanskrit 'pitcher' or 'water-pot', as reflected in the name of February, associated with the zodiac sign of Aquarius.

North of the central town is the shallow Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake.

Mueang Kumphawapi was one of the four original subdivisions of Udon Thani, which were converted into amphoes during the thesaphiban administrative reforms in 1908.

[2] The district slogan is "Kumphawapi, city of sugar, monkey park, highland of glass Buddha station, goose wetland stream of life."

Kumphawapi is divided into 13 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 176 administrative villages (mubans).