 Renu Nakhon was a "mueang" which was converted into a district of Nakhon Phanom during the "thesaphiban" administrative reforms in 1907.In 1917 the district was renamed That Phanom.The historical name of the area was reused when a new minor district ("king amphoe") was created on 1 May 1970 with three "tambons", Renu, Phon Thong, and Tha Lat, from That Phanom District.