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 to That Phanom.[1] The historical name of the area was reused when a new minor district (King Amphoe) was created on May 1, 1970 with the three tambon Renu, Phon Thong and Tha Lat from That Phanom district.[2] The minor district was upgraded to a full district on August 21, 1975.[3