The name of Pello is ultimately derived from the word pelto, field; which may have been the original name of the village.

The name of Turtola refers to a male name Turto, a Finnish form of the Scandinavian name Tord.

[citation needed] During the Late Middle Ages and the 16th century, Pello was the northernmost Finnish village in the Tornio Valley.

After Russia conquered Finland in 1809, Ylitornio was split into two parts.

The northern parts of Ylitornio became a separate parish and municipality in 1867, called Turtola after its most significant village at the time.