Don Mueang was once part of Bang Khen but it became a district in its own right in 1989. Later in 1997, the southern part of Don Mueang was split out to establish a new district Lak Si. The old name for the area was Don I Yiao (ดอนอีเหยี่ยว) meaning plateau of eagles and vultures due to its geography and abundance of those birds. The new name was given by King Vajiravudh when the Royal Thai Air Force base was established there.