On 1 January 1892 the northern part of Skudenes was split off to form the new municipality of Åkra (population: 1,962).

[5][3] On 1 January 1965, there were many municipal mergers in Norway as a result of the Schei Committee's work.

[5] The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the Skudenes peninsula (Old Norse: Skútunes) at the south end of the island of Karmøy.

The first element is the genitive case of skúta which means "rock wall that is sticking out", referring to the rocky islets and skerries that lie just off the shore of the peninsula.

[7] The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Skudenes was made up of 17 representatives that were elected to four year terms.