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Gyeongsang-do denotes Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. The name 'Gyeongsang' was given during the Goryeo period. It was formed by first two letters of Gyeongju and Sangju, two major counties at the time. In September, 995(14th year of King Seongjong of Goryeo), the nation was divided into 10 provinces for the first time.

The counties under Sangju were called Yeongnam-do, the counties under Geumju(present Gimhae) were called Yeongdong-do, and the counties under Jinju were called Sanyang-do.

Gyeonsang-jwado and Gyeongsang-udo were administrative district names given in the Joseon period when Gyeongsang area was divided into east and west. In September, 1407 (7th year of King Taejong), Gyeongsang-do was divided into Jwado and Udo for the convenience of military administration, the east side of Nakdonggang River was called Gyeongsang-jwado and the west, Gyeongsang-udo.

The present name of Gyeongsangnam-do was given when the local government organization system was reformed by Edict No. 36 on August 4, 1896 at the end of Joseon period (33rd year of King Gojong, first year of Geonyang). The previous system of 23 bu was changed to the 13 do systems and Gyeongsang-do was divided into nam-do and buk-do.