Cankova was attested in historical sources as Kaltenprun sive Hydeghuth in 1366 and Hydegkwth in 1499. The Slovenian name is a clipped form of *Cankova ves 'Can(e)k's village', referring to an early person associated with the place.[4] The German name Kaltenbrunn literally means 'cold well', and the Hungarian name Vashidegkút literally means 'cold well in Vas County'.