As a separate city, Zhifu's name was variously romanized as Chefoo,[1] Che-foo,[2] Chi-fu,[3] and Chih-fou.

Although this name was used for the city by foreigners prior to the Communist victory in the Chinese Civil War, the locals referred to the settlement as Yantai (q.v.)

[2][3] The area was inhabited as early as the Neolithic period by the Dongyi people.

Formerly a small unwalled fishing village, Zhifu grew when its harbor was chosen to act as the international port for the larger city of Tengchow (now Penglai) nearby.

[4] Chefoo School previously educated foreign children.