The name Myponga is derived from a Kaurna word Maitpangga, of unknown meaning, and which was corrupted to Miponga or Mypunga in various early texts. Myponga was probably not a place where aboriginal people stayed long, being a cold, wet and swampy place, but was rather a way-stop.

The first land grants at Myponga were taken up in 1841. In the 1860s the township still does not seem to have been heavily populated. Such houses as there were in the early years were mostly wattle and daub type structures.

The main road into Myponga from 1859 to 1929 was over Mount Terrible via Old Sellicks Hill Road, then up Pages Flat Road to Main South Road. At that time the main business part of the township was along Pages Flat Road. In 1929 a new road was constructed close to the coast, known then as Deviation Road. Thus Pages Flat Road became less important. The present township of Myponga was largely formed after 1939 when the land along Main South Road was subdivided into small lots.