The district is named after former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. T. Rama Rao.

[5][6][7][8][9] It was named in the memory of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), a prominent figure in the history of Andhra Pradesh.

NTR, a celebrated actor and politician, was the founder of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

He is widely remembered for his groundbreaking welfare policies and his efforts to uplift the rural poor and marginalized communities.

[12] The district is divided into three revenue divisions: Nandigama, Tiruvuru and Vijayawada, which are further subdivided into a total of twenty mandals.

NTR University of Health Sciences and School of Planning and Architecture, South Indian Chapter are located in Vijayawada.