Banja Loka was attested in historical sources as Lakch in 1470 and Ywagnalocka in 1494,[5] and in 1763–87 as Bainloka. The first part of the name may be derived from the personal name Ban or from the obsolete common noun ban 'royal representative', and loka refers to a low-lying meadow. The name therefore means either 'Ban's meadow' or 'royal representative's meadow'.[6] Locally, the settlement is known as Banoka,[6][7]Banloka,[7] or Banjloka.[2] The name of the village was officially changed from Banjaloka to Banja Loka in 2000.[3]