The neighborhood lies within the larger area of Mid-City, Los Angeles.

A petition to name the area Mid-City Heights began circulating in the community in September 2015.

The petition with 540 signatures was submitted to the Los Angeles City Clerk on January 7, 2017.

After the gathered signatures were submitted, the city process of approval began, which included finding out if the area hadn't already been given a name in the distant past.

In December 2017, residents formed the Mid-City Heights coalition and, in conjunction with their LAPD senior lead officers, cleaned up a homeless encampment near the Santa Monica Freeway and Highland Avenue.