The name Nkurenkuru is originated from two words or nouns which are "Nkure" which means endpoint whereas "Nkuru" means old. Historically, Nkurenkuru is a unique town in itself in terms of historical events that unfolded many years ago. Nkurenkuru was the first colonial administrative seat in the Kavango regions before the administrative seat centre was relocated in 1936 to Rundu until today.

It was also the first entry point of the two major denominations, Roman Catholicism and Lutheran Protestantism into the Kavango region. Nkurenkuru is indeed the seat of the vaKwangali Traditional Authority and the Permanent Royal Palace of the Kings and Queens. Nkurenkuru is strategically located alongside the Kavango River linking Kavango West region with Kavango East, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions and via Katwitwi border post to the most densely populated area of Kwando Kubango Province in Angola.

The town has become the residential, business and administrative centre of the Kavango West region with an increasing influx of people into the town every day.