The district got it's name from the word "Ganj-i-am" which means the Granary of the World. The district is named after the old township and European fort of Ganjam situated on the northern bank of river Rushikulya which was the head quarter of the district.

The Rock Edicts of Ashoka inscribed on a hill then known as Kapingala Parbat are found at Jaugada. The Ganjam area was a part of ancient Kalinga which was occupied by Ashok in 261 B.C. Though in 1757 it was French Commander Bussy, who march into Ganjam and realized areas of tribute from federal chiefs, it was English who ultimately defeated the French in the Decan and annexed Ganjam in 1759. The office of the Collector, Ganjam was established in 1794. Early in the 19th century, Ganjam became a melting pot of political turmoil due to the revolt of Zamidars against the British authorities which continued till 1836. With the beginning of 20th century, struggle for amalgamation of Oriya tracts was keenly organised in Ganjam and in the year 1896 Oriya was recognized as the official language. Originally the district was in Madrass Presidency in the Biritsh period. It had only three Government Taluks, 16 large proprietary estates, 35 minor Zamidaries. In Madrass Presidency the area of the district was 8311 square miles of which 5205 sq.miles comprised of agency tracts. The head quarter of the district of Ganjam was abandoned in 1855 owing to out break of a very dreadful epidemic fever by which 80 % population of the Ganjam town was reduced. The head quarter temporarily shifted to Gopalpur then to Berhampur and finally in and around 1902 to Chatrapur.

The district got separated from Madrass Presidency and formed a part of the newly created State of Orissa province with effect from 1.4.1936. The re-organised district comprises the whole of Ghumusor, Chatrapur and Baliguda divisions, part of old Berhampur taluk, part of old Ichapur taluk, part of Parlakhemundi plains area and the whole of Parlakhemundi agency area in the old Chicacola division.

As per the recent re-organised plan for the district by Govt. of Orissa the 7 blocks of Paralakhemundi Subdivision was separated and the new district of Gajapati came in to being. As such the Ganjam District at present constitute of 3 subdivisions, 22 blocks, 14 Tahasils with a population of 27.04 lakhs (1991 census) extending from 19.4 degree north latitude to 20.17 degree north latitude and 84.7 degre east longitude to 85.12 degree east longitude spreading over the geographical area of 8070.60 square km.

Important Fact about Ganjam