The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Slidre farm (Old Norse: Slíðrar or Slíðrir) since the historic Slidre Church was built there during the 12th century. The meaning of the name is not definitively known. It may be derived from the word slir which comes from the Old Norse word slíðr which means "sheath" (which is probably referring to a long depression near the church).[7][5]
^Helland, Amund (1913). "Vestre Slidre herred". V Kristians amt. Fjerde del. Norges land og folk (in Norwegian). Kristiania, Norway: H. Aschehoug & Company. p. 373. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
^Helland, Amund (1913). "Øystre Slidre herred". V Kristians amt. Fjerde del. Norges land og folk (in Norwegian). Kristiania, Norway: H. Aschehoug & Company. p. 400. Retrieved 11 August 2022.