The name "Xiangtan" derives from its geographical features. One theory is that the area is located at a bend in the Xiangjiang River, hence the name "Xiangtan." Another, more widely accepted theory, is that it was named after the Xiangzhou Pond in the Xiangjiang River at the foot of Zhaoshan Mountain, also known as Zhaotan. This pond is actually a deeper section of the Xiangjiang River, but its legendary connection with King Zhao of Zhou made it so famous that, starting in the Tang Dynasty, it became a key geographical feature and was given the name Xiangtan County.
In Xiangtan City, the first county seat, Xiangnan County, was established during the Han Dynasty, with the county seat (present-day Gucheng Village, Shitan Town, Xiangtan County) built. The relocation of the county seat to Luokou (present-day Yisuhe Town, Xiangtan County) in the Tang Dynasty essentially established the boundaries of the current Xiangtan City and Xiangtan County over 1,200 years ago. Ancient inhabitants of Xiangtan are known to date back at least 5,000 years.