During the 1960s, there were many major municipal changes across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee.

The name comes from the verb ógna which means "to threaten", likely referring to the local river since it has strong currents and it is prone to flooding in the spring.

On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Ogna.

The mayor was indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.

[8] The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Ogna was made up of 15 representatives that were elected to four year terms.