The main assumptions: from the Greek stringed instrument Sambuca ; or from Sambucus, commonly referred to as elderberry plants, widespread since antiquity in the valley of Lake Arancio.

[citation needed] Sambuca, founded by ancient Greek colonists, rose to regional prominence as a trading hub after invading Arab Muslims took over around 830, a few years after their landing in Sicily.

According to the folk tradition, It was called Zabuth, in remembrance of the emir Zabut ("The Splendid One") Al-Arab, who built a castle at that place, on the slopes of Mount Genuardo, between the rivers Belice and Sosius, 350 meters above sea level.

Sambuca di Sicilia gained international media attention in January 2019 for selling homes in an auction with a starting price of €1,[6][7][8][9][10][11] in hopes of attracting foreign residents to stop the area's depopulation.

[12][13] This became the basis for the HGTV documentary television series shot there, My Big Italian Adventure, starring American actress Lorraine Bracco and chronicling her months-long effort to renovate a roughly 200-year-old €1 townhouse at Via Guglielmo Marconi.